PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed an executive order “approving and adopting” the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP) 2018-2019 prepared by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The four-year plan, according to TESDA, “serves as a compass that informs the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) actors, movers, and leaders in coming up with responsive policies and implementing programs for the sector, and to support the broader development goals and objectives of the national government.”

Mr. Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) No. 83 on June 17. The Palace released copies of the EO on Thursday.

The NTESDP, according to the EO, was created to “galvanize and strengthen the TVET sector in order to attain global competitiveness and workforce readiness, as well as social equity for workforce inclusion and poverty reduction.”

All national and local government agencies were ordered to adopt, disseminate and support the implementation of the development plan, while the private sector was encouraged to support it.

The President also directed TESDA to ensure that all skills development programs and schemes conform with the objectives of the plan and “aligned” with the Philippine Qualifications Framework and all instituted national standards.

The NTESDP 2018-2019 will be funded by appropriations intended for the skills and development and training programs of TESDA and the respective budgets of the national government agencies involved. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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