TESDA resumes competency assessment for OFWs

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO--Amid the community restrictions of COVID-19 pandemic, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Isidro Lapeña has directed the resumption of competency assessment for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who need to take said requirement so they can work abroad.

In a memorandum recently issued by Lapeña, assessments for Domestic Work NC II and Housekeeping NC II for Domestic Helpers; Ship’s Catering Services (Messman) NC I and Ship’s Catering Services (Ship’s Cooks) NC III for Seafarers; and Caregiving NC II for Caregivers, in areas under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), should have resumed, citing that OFWs need their National Certificates as a requirement before they can be depl oyed.

The TESDA chief also directed all provincial directors to orient the OFWs about the requirements.

There are three ways for OFWs to secure their National Certificate.

Those with five years’ experience may opt to undergo the Portfolio Assessment. They only need to submit requirements such as letter of intent; TESDA Consent Agreement Form; resume (indicating education or learning outcomes statements or informal record of past learning, achievements and chronological record of significant learning and work experiences); certificate of employment with job description indicating number of years employed signed by employer for wage-employed workers, among others via email toportfolio.assessment@tesda.gov.ph.

OFWs whose NCs have expired can also renew them online.

In his memorandum, Lapeña also directed the neighboring regions of the NCR to host the faceto-face assessment of the OFWs, in case of extreme necessity. Most of the accredited assessment centers for the said qualifications are in the National Capital Region, which is currently under the General Community Quarantine level.

It may be recalled that face-to-face assessment is only allowed in areas under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) as provided by IATF Resolution No. 47.

Lapeña also reminded the TESDA regional and provincial offices to seek clearance from local government units and to strictly observe the mandated guidelines in conducting their face-to-face assessments.

TESDA Provincial Directors will also inspect all assessment centers in their area if it can adopt safety and health measures while complying to all the requirements for the qualification assessment .

Only 50% of total capacity of the assessment center per assessment schedule shall be allowed and endorsed to the accredited assessment centers.

Meanwhile, TESDA Regional Offices are directed to oversee and manage the assessment activities in their area of responsibility, and ensure that the assessment is in accordance with the TESDA Guidelines.

Lapeña emphasized that TESDA needs to take this action to help the OFWs.

"President Duterte is really concerned about the plight of our OFWs, that's why we, in TESDA, are doing our best we can to provide the services they need, even while we are facing this pandemic," he added.

The official also made it clear that no fees shall be collected from the OFWs in the conduct of their assessment.

---( PR)