THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of the Interior and Local Government have partnered to strengthen the skill sets of the latter’s personnel and employees.

On Monday, March 4, TESDA Director General Suharto Mangudadatu and DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. signed a memorandum of agreement at the DILG-NAPOLCOM Center in Quezon City.

Mangudadatu emphasized the need for a stronger partnership between TESDA and DILG, particularly in implementing the agency’s “TESDA Sa Barangay” program as this aims to tap the local government units in the delivery of technical vocational education and training.

“The collaboration between TESDA and DILG can contribute to the promotion of inclusive growth and sustainable development by ensuring that local communities have access to relevant skills training and employment opportunities,” Mangudadatu said.

The TESDA-DILG partnership aims to improve and upgrade the capabilities and performance of the DILG employees and enhance their technical competencies to adapt to the challenges through the conduct of technical education and skills development training programs.

TESDA shall provide skills training to DILG employees on courses such as digital literacy, visual graphics design, 21st-Century skills, and communications, among others.

Likewise, the skills training shall also be given to those unemployed, underemployed, out-of-school youths, and individuals from disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

Mangudadatu also expressed his gratitude to the DILG as the two government agencies joined hands anew in a strategic partnership aimed at providing skills development to Filipinos.

It can be recalled that TESDA and DILG have been collaborating in skills development and environmental preservation initiatives. This 2024, both agencies partnered in the provision of bookkeeping training for appointed Sangguniang Kabataan treasurers.

Further, TESDA has also expressed its support to DILG’s Kalinga at Inisyatiba para sa Malinis na Bayan or KALINISAN project which aims to uphold the spirit of Bayanihan while facilitating community engagement and maintaining a safe and healthy environment.