THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority intensified its health-related online courses to help prevent the spread of Covid19.

There are two health-related qualifications lodged in the TESDA Online Program — Barangay Health Services NC II and Contact Tracing Level II.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña said these qualifications, unlike the regular training programs, are self-paced and non-facilitated.

These programs are free.

“In place of the trainers or learning facilitators, the learners learn through the carefully-designed eLearning materials that they can access anytime and anywhere,” Lapeña said.

TESDA also offers Barangay Health Services NC II and Contact Tracing Level II under its regular scholarship programs. These courses run for 58 and 15 days respectively.

The agency is also set to offer Barangay Infectious Disease Management Services Level Il by the end of the first quarter of 2022.

The new qualification aims to enhance not just the country’s Covid19 response at the barangay level but will also make the country prepared for emerging infectious diseases.

The strengthening of the health-related programs is in line with the government’s policy to develop training and instructional materials to enhance the enforcement of Covid19 strategies at the barangay level.

“Barangay officials are our first line of defense in the prevention of the further spread of the virus in the communities. As such, proper training and education should be given to them,” he said.

For those interested to register, enroll or view the list of available courses, visit https://www.e-tesda.gov.ph/.

Enrollees will be given a certificate of completion after finishing a course. However, only those who enroll for full qualifications like the Barangay Health Services NC II can undergo competency assessment and receive National Certificate.