TESDA targets 1.3 million scholars despite budget cut

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will deliver 1.3 million scholars next year despite a proposed cut in its 2012 budget.

Director General Joel Villanueva is sticking to the target amid the belt-tightening which he said should not hamper the agency’s operations.

“We will reach out to other government agencies, non-government organizations and private institutions to partner with them to promote technical vocational education and produce more graduates with employable skills,” he said.

The Office of the President earmarked P2.72 billion budget for TESDA in 2012, about P93 million less than its present budget.

TESDA’s two programs—Training for Work Scholarship Program and the Private Education Student Fund Assistance—will get P700 million and P200 million, respectively.

“It is imperative that we perform our moral obligation of providing every youth a chance to education, give them access to technical and vocational education as an alternative to formal education. We will ensure that we will judiciously use our budget to respond to this commitment,” Villanueva said.

The agency’s P2.72-billion proposed budget consists of P1.202 billion for personnel services, P1.523 billion for programs (including scholarship funds), and P20 million for capital outlay.

For 2012, Villanueva said focus would be on competency assessment and certification, development promotion, and implementation of new skills development programs, upgrading and enhancement of trainor expertise.

“Responding to market demands to increase its graduates chances for employment, TESDA will also develop and offer other courses in electronics/semi-conductors, business process outsourcing, tourism, agri-fishery, and general infrastructure,” he said.

Of 1.3 million target beneficiaries for 2012, 650,000 are expected to undergo assessment for certification.

Certified graduated are given preference for local hiring or deployment abroad. –Ferdinand Fabella, Manila Standard Today