Brief History of TESDA

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was established through the enactment ofRepublic Act No. 7796otherwise known as the "Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994", which was signed into law by President Fidel V. Ramos on August 25, 1994. This Act aims to encourage the full participation of and mobilize the industry, labor, local government units and technical-vocational institutions in the skills development of the country's human resources.

The merging of theNational Manpower and Youth Council(NMYC) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).The Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education(BTVE) of theDepartment of Education, Culture and Sports(DECS), and The Apprenticeship Program of theBureau of Local Employment(BLE) of the DOLE gave birth to TESDA.

The fusion of the above offices was one of the key recommendations of the 1991 Report of the Congressional Commission on Education, which undertook a national review of the state of Philippine education and manpower development. It was meant to reduce overlapping in skills development activities initiated by various public and private sector agencies, and to provide national directions for the country's technical-vocational education and training (TVET) system. Hence, a major thrust of TESDA is the formulation of a comprehensive development plan for middle-level manpower based on the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan. This plan shall provide for a reformed industry-based training program that includes apprenticeship, dual training system and other similar schemes.

TESDA is mandated to:1. Integrate, coordinate and monitor skills development programs;2. Restructure efforts to promote and develop middle-level manpower;3. Approve skills standards and tests;4. Develop an accreditation system for institutions involved in middle-level manpower development;5. Fund programs and projects for technical education and skills development; and6. Assist trainers training programs.

At the same time, TESDA is expected to:1. Devolve training functions to local governments;2. Reform the apprenticeship program;3. Involve industry/employers in skills training;4. Formulate a skills development plan;5. Develop and administer training incentives;6. Organize skills competitions; and7. Manage skills development funds.

Overall, TESDA formulates manpower and skills plans, sets appropriate skills standards and tests, coordinates and monitors manpower policies and programs, and provides policy directions and guidelines for resource allocation for the TVET institutions in both the private and public sectors.

Today, TESDA has evolved into an organization that is responsive, effective and efficient in delivering myriad services to its clients. To accomplish its multi-pronged mission, the TESDA Board has been formulating strategies and programs geared towards yielding the highest impact on manpower development in various areas, industry sectors and institutions.

List of TESDA National Certifications / Skills Assessment (2014)

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Nowadays, speaking of Technical Vocational courses, TESDA is the number 1 government institution in the Philippines that offers free assessment and certificationsprogramsnationwide together with various accredited Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs), TESDA Technical Institutions (TTIs), Local Government Units (LGUs) partners, and other government agencies providing TVET programs and DepEd trainings.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA since it wasestablished through the enactment ofRepublic Act No. 7796in 1994 boasted that it had produced thousands of skilled workers that our now working here and abroad particularly in USA, Middle East and Brunei.

Who are qualified to take TESDA?

From barbers to hairstylist, construction workers, automotive experts,Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers, workers, industry practitioners, professional, career shifter, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Filipino expatriates with relevant experience, industry practitioners who are prospective competency assessors are qualified to apply for free assessment and certification.TVI, TTIs, and other educational institutions who want to be a partner of TESDA are also welcome to undergo trainings and certification.

What is National Certificate (NC)?An individual needs to undergo competency assessment for the identified qualification in any of the accredited assessment centers nationwide. Passers of the competency assessment shall be issued a NC or COC.

A National Certificate (NC) is issued when a candidate has demonstrated competence in all units of competency that comprised a Qualification. Certificate of Competency (COC) is issued to individuals who have satisfactorily demonstrated competence on a particular or cluster of units of competencyBelow is the list ofprogramTESDA currently offers with National Certification.

ICT / BPO:-ComputerHardware Servicing NC II- Visual Graphics Design NC III- 2D animation NC III- 3D animation NC III- Programming NC IV- Game Programming NC III- Finishing Course for Call Center Agents NC II- Finishing Course for Medical Transcription NC II- Career Entry Course for Software Developers NC IV Using JAVA- Career Entry Course for Software Developers NC IV Using Microsoft.Net- Career Entry Course for Software Developers NC IV Using Oracle- PC Operations NC II

Tourism / Food / Health:- Food and Beverage Services NC II and III-Commercial Cooking / Cookery NC II- Bread and Pastry Making NC II- Housekeeping NC II and III- Household Services NC II- Household Service Worker NC II- Bartending NC II- Tour Guiding NC II- Travel Services NC II- Events Management Services NC III- Caregiving NC II- Tourism Promotions Services NC II- Bread and Pastry Production NC II- Health Care Services NCII- Food Processing NC II

Agri-Fishery:- Agricultural Crops Production NC II and III- Horticulture NC II- Animal Production NC II

Metals / Engineering:- Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II and III- Machining NC II- GMAW NC II- GTAW NC II- Heavy Equiptment Operator NC II- Pipefitting NC II- Transport RAC Servicing NC II- Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Services NC II

Electronics:- Consumer Electronics Servicing NC II and III- CATV Operation and Maintenance NC II and III- Mechatronics NC III- Instrumentation NC III

Construction:- Masonry NC II and III- Plumbing NC II and III- Carpentry NC II and III- Heavy Equipment Operators NC II- Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II and III- SMAW NC III, SMAW NC II and construction painting NC III- Construction Painting NC III- FCAW NC III- RAC Servicing (PACU/CRE) NC II- Transport RAC Servicing NC II- Air Duct Servicing NC II- Ice Plant Ref Servicing NC III- Technical Drafting NC II

Automotive / Land Transport:

- Automotive Servicing NC II- Driving NC II/Driving (Passenger Bus Straight Truck) NC III- Motorcycle Small Engine Servicing NC I- Auto Engine Rebuilding NC II- Auto Body Repairing NC II- Auto Body Painting/Finishing NC I

Maritime:- Deck Seafaring (Able-Bodied Seaman) NC II- Engine Seafaring (Oiler) NC II

Services / Crafts / Trade / Others:- Tailoring NC II- Massage Therapy NC II- Beauty Care NC II- Hairdressing NC II- Dressmaking NC II- Photography NC II Trade Certification- Security Services NC II- Bookkeeping NC III- Front Office Services NC II

Upcoming Programs:Jewelry Making, Land Surveying, Barbering Services andElectrical power Distribution Line Construction.If you are planning to take TESDA assessment and certification programs, take note of the following:

Requirements forapplication:Duly accomplishedapplication formSelf-assessment guide3 passport sizepicturesin white background with name written at the backCertificate of employment.