TESDA welcomed the initial batches of trainees for the National Capital Region under its new Emergency Skills Training Program (TESTP) last May 31, 2017 at the Tulong Kabuhayan Center at the Authority’s Taguig Complex.

During the opening program held at the adjacent TESDA Women’s Center, the event’s guest speaker, Presidential Spokersperson Ernesto Abella, urged the trainees in a stirring talk to never lose sight of their dreams in the midst of hardships.  He added that the government, through such programs as the TESTP, would be their partners in their journeys to recovery and progress.

A short tour of the Tulong Kabuhayan Center, which itself was inaugurated on the day, ensued.  Also present during the event were TESDA Deputy Directors General Rosanna Urdaneta and Rebecca Calzado, along with the officials and staff of TESDA-NCR.

The TESTP prioritizes those in sectors that TESDA considers vulnerable such as: overseas Filipino workers who have settled in the country; immediate family members and relatives of members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police who died in the line of duty; those displaced by armed conflicts; family members of MMDA traffic enforcers; reforming drug dependents and their families; and, informal settlers.

TESDA started to accept the application forms of those who wished to be part of TESTP in May 1.  Among the training programs under TESTP are motorcycle/small engine servicing; prepare cold meals; solar lamps assembly; nihonggo language; hilot (wellness massage); carpentry; process food bysalting, curing and smoking at maintain and repair audio/video products.  Apart from free skills training, TESDA will give free assessment and certification, free starter kit and allowance during the program.