PRESS RELEASE
PR-077-2024
SINGAPORE, 1 August 2024 – In coordination with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Philippines’ Technical Vocational Education and Training Authority successfully conducted the 2024 Overseas Assessment Program (OAP) from 27 to 28 July 2024 at the Bayanihan Center, CARE Academy, and AiMS Learning International Singapore.
The two-day on-site assessment covered five (5) programs including caregiving, healthcare services, bread and pastry production, food and beverages services, and cookery. The program received positive feedback from the Filipino community, emphasizing its importance in providing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with the opportunity to gain certification and enhance their skills – things which are crucial to their professional development and employability in the global market
The program not only validates the competencies of the OFWs but also boosts their confidence in pursuing better career opportunities. Furthermore, it underscores the Philippine government’s commitment to supporting its overseas workers by providing them with access to quality training and assessment programs.
Of the 282 candidates assessed, 232 were certified and granted National Competency (NC) certificates, which they received immediately after the assessment.
The success of the 2024 OAP highlights the collaborative efforts of TESDA, the Philippine Embassy through its attached agencies MWO and OWWA, and the various training institutions in Singapore in promoting continuous learning and skills enhancement among OFWs.
On 29 July 2024, the TESDA delegates paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador Medardo G. Macaraig. During the call, TESDA Director Janet M. Abasolo briefed Ambassador Macaraig on the OAP and conveyed TESDA’s continuous commitment to helping upgrade the skills of OFWs in Singapore through the OAP. Ambassador Macaraig thanked the delegates for supporting the need for OFWs to take the assessment and acquire competency certificates to advance their skills. He assured TESDA of the Embassy’s support for all of the agency’s activities that provide Filipino nationals abroad with opportunities to advance employability and hone their entrepreneurial skills. He also encouraged them to conduct the OAP on a yearly basis.
TESDA last conducted the OAP for kababayans in Singapore in 2019. The program was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was resumed in 2023 with pilot implementation in South Korea, followed by the conduct of OAP in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the same year.
Prior to the conduct of OAP in Singapore on 27-28 July, TESDA also brought its services to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 14-20 June and in Dubai, UAE on 22-26 June
The OAP was conducted based on the promulgated Philippine Competency Standards and Assessment Tools, allowing international recognition of the NC certificates issued by TESDA.(END).
