THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority continues to help overseas Filipino workers and their dependents, especially those displaced by recent global crises.

TESDA Director General Danilo Cruz said OFWs and their families have always been part of the agency’s priority when it comes to the provision of skills training and livelihood programs.

“We have several training programs that can benefit our displaced OFWs and their dependents, especially those who were displaced by the pandemic. Whether they are here or abroad, they can easily avail of these programs,” he said.

For easy access, the agency put up OFW desks in all international airports in the country while its field offices designated personnel who will assist the displaced workers.

“All they have to do is to reach out to the TESDA office in their area or download the TESDA Mobile App to access our programs and services,” Cruz said.

In the first half of the year, 5,021 OFWs finished various TESDA courses. Entrepreneurship, Driving NC II, Bread and Pastry Production NC II, and Caregiving NC II were among the most popular choices taken by repatriated OFWs.

Likewise, OFW dependents continue to receive training from TESDA. From January to June 2022, 5,276 dependents graduated from various qualification programs.

TESDA also assisted displaced OFWs under its OFW Reintegration for Skills Employment Program which is being implemented with the help of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration, Philippine Trade Training Center and Coca-Cola Philippines.

The OFW-RISE Program offers returning OFWs an online course that can be accessed in the TESDA Online Program to enable them to transform their business ideas into business plans.

“We are not just providing livelihood programs to OFWs but also to the general public. With the new administration, we commit to improving our programs to produce highly-skilled and globally-competitive workers who can adapt to the ever-changing demand of the industry,” Cruz said.