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| TESDA offers over 500 higher-level TVET or diploma programs in schools and training centers nationwide. |
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) now offers over 500 higher-level technical vocational education and training (TVET) or diploma programs in various schools and training across the country.
These diploma programs improve the chances of tech-voc trainees, graduates, and middle-level workers qualifying for jobs with greater responsibilities, such as supervisors. The programs also provide workers and tech-voc graduates with more opportunities to upgrade their qualifications or continue their education in college.
"Through these diploma programs, we provide Filipinos, particularly those with limited financial resources, with pathways to earn Baccalaureate degrees," TESDA Director General Danilo P. Cruz said.
These higher-level tech-voc programs, he says, help ensure a steady supply of technicians and technologists for industries, especially in more developed countries.
Diploma programs include technical vocational trades, general education, and management courses. These three-year programs, aligned with Level 5 of the Philippine Qualifications Framework, aim to produce workers known as "technologists."
TESDA previously issued guidelines for the implementation of diploma programs, requiring technical vocational institutions to form partnerships with higher education institutions to facilitate the transfer of their student's academic credits.
Cruz explained that this enables TESDA diploma program graduates to continue their studies in college by having their TVET qualifications and competencies recognized as part of their intended baccalaureate program.
"TESDA had also issued guidelines to align its diploma programs with the Dublin and Sydney Accords' accreditation processes. These are international agreements that establish the educational foundation for engineering technicians and technologists," he explained.
Institutions with training programs that meet these standards lay the groundwork for eventual Dublin and Sydney Accord accreditation. Meanwhile, these training programs would otherwise produce technicians and technologists with international-level knowledge and skills.
Currently, 525 diploma programs are being offered by public and private institutions.
The diploma programs available are Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology, Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Diploma in Automotive Technology, Diploma in Agricultural Technology, Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology, and Diploma in Information Technology.
Those interested in enrolling in TESDA diploma programs should go to the nearest TESDA Regional Office, which can be found on the agency's website at https://tesda.gov.ph/Directory/Regions.