THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure creating a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Training and Assessment Center in Rizal, Nueva Ecija.

The lawmakers agreed to approve Committee Report 853 endorsing House Bill 9509 authored by Representatives Joseph Gilbert Violago, Mark Go, and Elizaldy Co

Based on the measure, the Rizal, Nueva Ecija TESDA Training and Assessment Center will primarily provide technical-vocational education and training programs to students and residents from low-income families and out-of-school youth, including persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples, to help them become productive, self-reliant, and globally competitive labor assets.

The Center shall also provide effective employment interventions through training programs on relevant skills in trade competencies, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship activities to help hasten the development of the host area and its adjacent localities into human resource and productivity hubs.

It shall also provide technical-vocational training for teachers and curriculum design assistance to the secondary schools in the Province offering the technical-vocational livelihood track under the K to 12 Program, in coordination with the Department of Education and the TESDA.

The measure mandates the Center to offer short-term certificate courses and modular training in preferred technical-vocational skills and trades specialization.