A TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority training center in Taguig City recently received the Platinum Award from the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission.

The TESDA Women’s Center was conferred as the first institution in the country to achieve the prestigious Platinum Award during the 50th Anniversary Dinner of the Colombo Plan Staff College held at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati last Monday (December 4, 2023).

TESDA Director General Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu emphasized the agency’s commitment to widening the scope and heightening the standard of technical vocational education and training in the country, especially in this fast-evolving world.

“TESDA’s vision has always been to empower individuals through quality technical education and skills training, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in the rapidly evolving landscape of the global economy. This award reaffirms our dedication to this vision and motivates us to reach even greater heights in the service of our fellow Filipinos,” Mangudadatu said.

The TWC was established through a grant aid from the Japanese government’s Japan International Cooperation Agency, and since its inauguration in 1998, the institution has made significant strides in various areas.

The TWC was first recognized as a Silver awardee by the APACC in 2008, and Gold in 2018. With the conclusion of its 5th accreditation process cycle, the center received its Platinum award.

The center was evaluated in the following seven criteria: governance and management, teaching and learning, human resources, research and development, image and sustainability, other resources, and support to students. The onsite visit by APACC audit team was held last October 4-6, 2023.

Mangudadatu also thanked the CPSC for providing TESDA employees with staff development programs.

“Allow me to express our sincerest gratitude for the continuous support of CPSC to TESDA, especially in the provision of courses/training to TESDA employees to develop their human resource competencies on planning, administration, and supervision of technical education and skills development,”

The APACC is an international accreditation and certification body established through the CPSC Seoul Declaration 2004, with the CPSC as the lead organization. It aims to provide international accreditation and certification services for the quality management system of TVET institutions.

The institutional levels of accreditation under APACC are Bronze, Bronze+, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, which is the highest level of accreditation.

Other Platinum awardees include Malaysian institutions Politeknik Port Dickson, Politeknik Ungku Omar, and, Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA Masjid Tanah.