NEW Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Suharto Mangudadatu is keen to bring the agency’s programs and services closer to the communities.

Mangudadatu, who assumed his post on June 6, 2023, laid down his 10-point agenda for the next six years.

He said that his first agenda is to bring the agency’s programs to the barangay level by giving access to scholarship and free training.

The second is a review of TESDA training regulations. This initiative will focus on the realignment of technical-vocational courses to meet the demand of the industry for local and overseas employment.

His agenda include prioritizing Technical and Vocational Education and Training to meet the demand of the industry or the locality of a certain area; regular inspection of TESDA-accredited schools and learning centers to check their compliance with the existing requirements of program registration, certification, and facilities; making TESDA’s online application for scholarship programs easier and making the TESDA programs accessible in rural areas.

He also wants to tie up with the Sangguniang Kabataan and other youth organizations to boost Youthpreneurship or youth entrepreneurship. This, he said, will empower the youth to develop their skills through TESDA programs and interventions.

He also wants to implement the TESDA Industry Exchange Program to strengthen the partnership between trainers and students and the industry.

Mangudadatu will introduce HALAL TVET.

He said that the most important item on his agenda is to strengthen the internal structure of the agency to make all departments, divisions and offices reliable so they can effectively provide the educational needs of students and trainers.