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| OWWA and TESDA sign agreement to expand skills training for OFWs |
Fresh from signing a
memorandum of agreement on expanding access to skills development for overseas
Filipino workers, officials of TESDA (Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority) and OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration) met with representatives of the Hong Kong Labor Department on
Monday, June 8, for exploratory talks.
Their talk which was arranged
by the Philippine Consulate General centered on a possible collaboration on
upskilling, re-skilling and certification of overseas Filipino workers in Hong
Kong.
The Hong Kong side was briefed
by TESDA on its training programs and accreditation schemes which OWWA aims to implement
in Hong Kong and other overseas posts, and ultimately, adopt as its own through
a train the trainors (and assessors) program.
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| Phl and HK officials talk on possible skills training & assessment for OFWs on site |
OWWA administrator PY Caunan
told The SUN afterwards that the “tech-voc” (or technical-vocational program)
with TESDA is one of four initiatives she is pursuing under its Step-UP program,
to provide better opportunities to OFWs all over the world.
The others include an
entrepreneurship program with the Department of Trade and Industry, the
Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) with
the Commission on Higher Education and the Marino program for seafarers.
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| Admin Caunan plans to have OFW trainors and assessors in HK |
Under the tech-voc scheme, OWWA
plans to enlist TESDA’s help in providing core training to OFWs so they could
eventually become not just trainors, but also assessors themselves.
“OWWA will have its own
trainors and assessors,” said Admin Caunan. Ïnitially, all this will be done at
the OFW Global Center in United Centre, but Caunan said she is open to the idea
of setting up a new place to serve as its training center.
“I am open to getting a new place
for more training (for our OFWs), lalo na with our talks with the Hong Kong
government. Hopefully our talks will progress so there will be more
opportunities for our OFWs.”
In the Philippines, all 42 OWWA
centers now have not just a coffee nook, but also reintegration offices, she
said. At these Kapihan at Kabuhayan Centers, OFWs who drop by are given tips on
setting up a business, from handling their finances, getting relevant training,
and securing loans.
Caunan said she does not want
OFWs who have returned to the Philippines to just get a scholarship voucher
from TESDA, but to actually use that specialized training to gain better job
opportunities or to set up their own business.
For Hong Kong, the main focus
is to train enough domestic workers to become caregivers, as this not only elevates
their work experience, but also allows them to get higher pay or better
opportunities elsewhere.
“Ang laki ng jump,” (That’s a big jump) said Caunan, which is why
she said she fully supports this kind of shift for domestic workers.
Soon, she said there will be a
melding of the app features of OWWA, TESDA, the Department of Migrant Workers
and the Department of Labor and Employment in the Philippines so OFWs are
notified of any job openings that match their skills and qualifications. Such job postings can be anywhere
in the Philippines, or at any overseas posts.
During the signing of the MOA
on Sunday, Caunan disclosed that DTI Secretary Cristina Roque has set aside Php P200 billion for the OFW Negosyo Fund. This will be used to extend loans of
between Php30,000 to Php20 million to OFWs for business.
No collateral is needed to
secure loans of up to Php3 million, and the interest is just about 7% per
annum, or about 1% on the recurring balance.
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| First batch of HK OFWs to get the NC2 certificate since 2019 |
For his part, TESDA Secretary Jose
Francisco Benitez said the government is providing all OFWs with free training
skills, online courses and competency certifications to upgrade their skills
and secure better jobs abroad or in the Philippines.
These include the overseas
assessment program which allows OFWs in select overseas posts like Hong Kong to
undergo free competency assessments so they could get a national certificate;
or the online program which allows them to learn courses like entrepreneurship or
caregiving at their own pace.
Benitez said the new initiatives are
in recognition of the OFWs’ hard work, perseverance and contribution to
nation-building.
“This support of our OFWs will
ultimately redound to the benefit of the country,” he said.
The signing of the landmark MOA was
held at the OFW Global Centre and was witnessed by Consul General
Romulo Israel, Jr. and Labor Attache Cesar Chavez, Jr.
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| Admin Caunan with early customers at the OFW Global Center |
Apart from Benitez and Caunan, those who signed the agreement included OWWA Deputy Administrator Rosalia Catapang and TESDA executive directors Gio Franco Gomez and Janet M. Abasolo.
During the ceremony,
about 60 OFWs who passed TESDA’s assessment for competency in massage therapy
were handed their NC II cerfiticates.
The partnership marks
an important milestone in coordinating government services for Filipino migrant
workers in terms of skills training, referrals, scholarships and other
benefits.
