THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Migrant Workers signed a memorandum of agreement to enhance the skills and employability of overseas Filipino workers.

The agreement, signed by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and TESDA Director-General Jose Francisco Benitez, aims to provide skills and livelihood training programs to OFWs.

“Skills are not just a means to gain employment; they are the highest form of protection for OFWs,” Cacdac stated.

“Once an OFW steps up to the level of a globally integrated skilled worker, they become more productive and can better contribute to their family, community, and nation,” he added.

TESDA and DMW have initially released 249 scholarship training certificates for selected qualified beneficiaries.

The DMW noted that the partnership would help augment programs for reintegrating OFWs and their families through scholarship grants for skills and livelihood training.

This collaboration will equip OFWs with expertise they can use to acquire decent jobs or establish their own businesses if they decide to return to the country for good.

Under the agreement, DMW will advocate for training programs focused on upskilling, re-skilling, and cross-skilling, including Competency Assessment and Certification; identify and recommend eligible OFWs and their family members to TESDA; endorse returning OFWs qualified to become trainers or assessors; and provide TESDA with labor market information.

TESDA will conduct orientations on available programs for OFWs and their families, provide skills training, assessment, and certification based on priorities; conduct language and culture training for outbound OFWs; implement the Overseas Scholarship Program; and conduct capability-building interventions for trainers and assessors endorsed by DMW.

“As mandated by the President himself, we must take care of the families and welfare of OFWs,” Cacdac concluded.