A former scholar of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) considers the skills he acquired at par with those who graduated from universities and those working overseas.

Omar Cabillo took the TESDA basic electrician course in 2014 and the master electrician diploma course that he finished in 2019. He passed the licensure examination administered by the Professional Regulation Commission right after.

“Kayang-kaya sumabay ng technical-vocational course at ng diploma courses (graduates ng TESDA) sa mga nakapagtapos sa university at nagtatrabaho abroad (Graduates of technical-vocational and diploma courses of TESDA can be of equal capacity with those who graduated from the university and are working abroad),” he said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas here Tuesday.

He currently works freelance and has projects in this city and in Pangasinan.

“With my skills and license, I can compete with the other practitioners. I also have a plan to work abroad because I know I am capable, having been equipped with the international standards of performing the job but right now, I opt to first serve here in the country,” he said.

Glenn Murphy, TESDA-CAR Assistant Director, said in the same forum that TESDA provides university and technical skills, but is heavy on the practical side.

He said most TESDA graduates obtain internationally recognized national certification (NC) and have performed well in regional, national and world competitions.

Citing results of a TESDA survey, Murphy said at least eight of 10 graduates are either self-employed, managing their own business, or are employed in a formal work environment.

As of Nov. 29, a total of 62,700 out of 66,611 scholars in the region this year have graduated.

Of those who graduated, 29,704 obtained an NC and a number of them are already employed.

For this year alone, TESDA-Cordillera spent PHP400 million for its scholars.

In 2023, there were 15,171 scholars while there were 16,803 scholars in 2022.

On the sidelines of the briefing, TESDA distributed the December stipend of Diploma Course scholars — tuition fee subsidy of PHP15,000 per semester and PHP3,600 monthly transportation allowance. (PNA)