New law widens free skills training, and certification for poor Pinoys

MORE marginalized Filipinos may soon be able to obtain certification and skills training from the government after President Duterte finally signed Republic Act (R A) 112301, or the “Tulong Trabaho Act” last month.

Under the new law, the government will allocate a portion of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for its Tulong-Trabaho Fund (TTF) to be managed by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) for qualified beneficiaries.

The TTF could also be availed of by its beneficiaries to pay for assessment and certification, as well as documents and procedures for their TechnicalVocational Education and Training (TVET) program.

To qualify for the TTF, a beneficiary should be at least 15 years old and not enrolled in any education or training course as well as employed workers who intend to expand their skills.

Tesda will then determine the industries with Selected Training Program, which may be eligible for the TTF, using quantitative and qualitative data provided by the Department of Labor and Employment.

“The Tesda board shall release the initial list of available STPs within two months from the effectivity of this Act and shall update such list in accordance with the provisions of this Act,” RA 112301 said.

TTF recipient-industries must ensure that 80 percent of their beneficiaries pass the Philippine TVET Competency Assessment and Certification System.

“Failure to meet the passing rate shall subject, the school or training center to performances review and audit by the Tesda Board,” RA 112301 said.

RA 112301 was signed by President Duterte on February 22 and will take effect 15 days after being published in the Official Gazatte or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Tesda, in consultation with “relevant” stakeholders, will have 60 days to formulate and release its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

A oversight committee comprised by members of the House of Representatives and the Senate will be tasked to monitor the enforcement of the TTF.