President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. firmly believes that laborers and the students of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) should be equipped with “essential qualities that will enable them to be responsive to the evolving demands of the modern world.”
The President opines that “this [is] crucial in ensuring that every Filipino worker thrives and recognizes their full potential so that they can effectively contribute in our revitalization efforts and other ventures necessary to advance our economy.”
Referencing the 5th Cycle of the National Technical and Skills Development (NTESDP) for 2023-2028, PBBM said that guided by such a plan, “We will propel our country on the right track towards a stronger, better, and more productive Philippines.” The document is the national blueprint for technical vocational education and training (TVET).
In a previous State of the Nation Address (SONA), PBBM emphasized the importance of TVET “as a tool for transformative lifelong learning and economic development.”
Poverty is not an excuse to wallow in grief and say “we’ll never make it.” Take 28-year-old Rheajane Dicdiquin-Heah, for instance. She is a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who has previously worked in the furniture industry in Singapore.
She had initially ventured into designing interiors after taking a short diploma course in Interior Design. Excited to apply her newfound skills in the field, she opened a milk tea and coffee shop in Cebu without knowing anything about running a café. Apart from her lack of knowledge, the Covid-19 pandemic forced her to close shop for lack of patronage, leaving her with a six-digit debt.
Then, it dawned on her that if she were to get into another business, she ought to know by heart the products and services she offers.
Eventually, while working in Metro Manila as an interior designer of condo units, she thought it would serve her and her company in good stead if she would branch out into construction. It would be better if she learned the ropes of the field..
“Sa una po, kumukuha lang ako ng ibang contractor. Na-realize ko, parang kaya kong gawin ‘yung painting works,” She asked herself, “Why not do more? Why not earn more? Gusto kong mas marami pang matutunan. Nag-research ako kung ano ang mga training na pwede kong makuha. I found out na ang TESDA nag-offer ng scholarship.”
In time, she qualified for a TESDA scholarship on Construction Painting NC II at the QTek Training and Assessment Center in Mandaluyong two years ago.
Rhea found out that in the construction business, sometimes they have staff members who can’t make it to work. “Kung wala kang alam, hindi mo s’ya kayang punuin. Kung wala akong tao…ako talaga ang nagpi-fill in. Nag o-overnight kami, nagpi-pintura kami.”
She said that’s one of the good things that happened from what she learned from TESDA.
“I’m so glad nag-enroll ako don. Nagamit ko. From interior design lang, ngayon, nagko-construction na po ako,” she shared.
It didn’t take long before Rhea take still another course: Carpentry NC II.
“Nag-enroll din ako sa carpentry. Meron silang opening and it’s free! Another upskill na din ‘yon. Dun nag-start. Yung next ko, Scaffolding. Para yon for the bigger picture. Gusto ko pong in the future, ako na lang ang kumontrata for the whole house,” she said.
Early last year, Rhea earned certification for Scaffolding NC II, as well as Plumbing NC II course.
Having accumulated certificates from TESDA, Rhea put up RH Interiors, and now even employs her classmates at TESDA.
Now and then, Rhea would encounter skeptics, who are not convinced that women could match the work that could be delivered by men. She’d demonstrate her skills and knowledge, and would cite her TESDA certifications.
Fully aware of some people’s hesitation in hiring a female construction boss, Rhea would quickly put their fears to rest by demonstrating her knowledge and skills.
”Ine-explain ko na lang sa client na alam ko naman po na sa panahon ngayon, [ang] babae kaya na ang lahat. Meron din po akong mga certifications na nagpapatunay na competent akong gumawa, na kaya ko ‘tong gawin,,” she said.
Interestingly, Rhea is not a lone wolf. There are a lot of other women who have enrolled in TESDA courses such as plumbing, traditionally known to be a man’s job.
Among them are plumber Camela Sabordo, a TESDA graduate; and Maria Reenah Borbe, a TESDA scholar.
Rhea advises women not to put themselves down. Although construction is often associated with men, she tells them, “We can do a lot of things apart from carrying materials. We can plan, we can be an electrician. We need not be confined to the home. We can do more. If I can do it, so can you,” she said.
All the certificates that Rhea has received have opened up even larger projects for her, “from condominium units to houses.” She’s contemplating on putting up a construction business as well in Malaysia, where her husband hails from. He is also now based in that country..
She is aware of TESDA’s good reputation that is why she enrolled in multiple courses there. She said, “Kasi po ang TESDA, subok na. It’s already tried and tested and its certificates are recognized around the world.”
She said that she knows people who’ve worked overseas who tell her that when they apply for work abroad, the companies ask for a TESDA certification as proof of their education and skills.
And TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez stands by this. He affirms that “a TESDA certification has strong recognition internationally. That helps our citizens who are looking for a job.”
“After their training or training here at the TESDA Women’s Center, they will pass the national certificate assessment, or certification assessment. This is a national assessment conducted by an external assessor, and they can then use this national certificate as a license,” said Mylene Sumera, the Administrator of the Taguig TESDA Women’s Center.
The support of the PBBM administration also gave a big boost to TESDA’s projects..
“The transparency of the advocacy and agenda of President Marcos Jr. helped us develop our institutional development plan for six years,” Sumera said.
Camela’s message to the President is her fervent hope that he would “continue this project so that we can all help more people and give everyone the skills they need to learn and find good jobs.”
Reenah, on the other hand said in the vernacular, “Thank you very much to the Marcos Jr. administration for supporting such an agency [TESDA] that trans our people and helps us find jobs.”
One thing about TESDA, Rhea attests, is that they offer a lot of free courses. And apart from these, “Kung wala kayong budget, may allowance silang ibinibigay para makatulong din while you’re studying.”
“We have what we call behavior and mindset change. In the Philippines, we have a bias for college degrees. But there are many jobs out there that do not require a college degree. More and more companies are looking at your skills and not necessarily your degree,” Benitez said.
TESDA, through the direction given by President Marcos Jr., is ensuring that our people have the technical and vocational education and training they need. Armed with this, they can find jobs here and overseas that will help themselves and their families, and ultimately, our country.
