Republic Act No.

7796 An Act Creating the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Providing for its Powers, Structure and for Other Purposes

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The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is the government agency tasked to manage and supervise technical education and skills development (TESD) in the Philippines. It was created by virtue of Republic Act 7796, otherwise known as the Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994 1.

Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994 or the TESDA Act of 1994. Section 2. Declaration of Policy. Private Sector Participation2 This State shall encourage active participation of various concerned sectors, particularly private enterprises, being direct participants in and immediate beneficiaries of a trained and skilled workforce, in providing technical education and skill development opportunities. Section 3. Statement of Goals and Objectives. 2 a) International Competitiveness b) Quality Middle-Level Manpower c) Scientific and Technical Knowledge Base d) Roles of Public and Private Institutions e) Desirable Values Section 4. Definition of Terms. These are the terms that are used in this Act, enumerated and defined as used in the field of technical education and skills development. Section 5. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; Creation. With the creation of TESDA, the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education (BTVE) of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, and the Apprenticeship Program of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) of the DOLE were emerged with TESDA and their respective functions were assumed by the latter.3 Section 6. Composition of the Authority. The Authority shall be composed of the TESDA Board and the TESDA Secretariat. Section 7. Composition of the TESDA Board. The Secretary of Labor and Employment Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports Secretary of Trade and Industry Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Interior and Local Government Director General of the TESDA Secretariat Chairperson Co-Chairperson Co-Chairperson Member Member Member

Section 8. Powers and Function of the Board.4 a) Policy-making on technical education and skill development; b) Planning and Programming; c) Coordination of public and private vocational/technical institution;

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d) e) f) g) h)

Standard-setting and certification; Apprenticeship and administration; Training trainers; Management of a Technical/Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Fund and; Preparation of local government units and industry groups to eventually take over the direct training functions of the present NMYC and BTVE.

Section 9. Power to Review and Recommend Action. The Authority shall review and recommend action to concerned authorities on proposed technical assistance programs and grants-in-aid for technical education or skills development, or both Section 10. The TESDA Secretariat. Functions and Responsibilities: 1) planning, processing and formulation of National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan, 2) policy-making and recommendations, 3) allocation of funds and 4) enter agreements for implementations. Section 11. Director-General. He is the head of the TESDA Secretariat and works in general supervision and control over its technical and administrative personnel. Section 12. Deputy Director-General. There are two DDG: 1) Vocational and Technical Education Training and 2) Policies and Plannig. Section 13. Chief of Service for Administration. He assists the Director-General. Section 14. Structural Organization and Personnel. a) Planning Office center for development of programs within the technical education and skill development. (allocation of resources) b) Skills Standards and Certification Office standardization, testing and certification system. c) National Institute for Teaching Vocational and Education Training research and development arm. d) Office of Formal Technical Vocational Education and Training assigned to the networks of TESD training centers and programs. e) Office of Non-Formal Technical Vocational and Education Training. f) Office of Apprenticeship head of regional respective regional jurisdiction. Section 15. The Provisional TESDA Offices. These are under the direct control of the Director-General on provincial jurisdiction. Section 16. Compliance with the Salary Standardization. Salaries are according to the salary standardization law and other laws under the national compensation and classification plan. Section 17. Consultants and Technical Assistance, Publication and Research. This is the availing of services from other institutions for consultation, researches and publications on the field of TESD. Section 18. Transfer of the Apprenticeship Program. The Apprenticeship Program of the Bureau of Local Employment of the Department of Labor and Employment shall be transferred to the Authority which shall implement and administer said program in accordance with existing laws.

Section 19. Technical Educational and Skills Development Committee. The regional and local levels are to coordinate and monitor the delivery of all skills development activities by the public and private sector.

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Section 20. Skills Development Centers. Skills training centers in vocational, technical institutes, polytechnic colleges and all other duly accredited public and private dual system educational institutions are under these centers. Section 21. Formulation of a Comprehensive Development Plan for Middle-Level Manpower. The employment and development of the highly competent and skilled workers for economic and social growth and welfare are the foci of this comprehensive plan. Section 22. Establishment and Administration of National Trade Skills Standards. This includes the certification and accreditation programs where different centers are given the privilege of conducting tests. Section 23. Administration and Training Programs. The administering of the training programs and schemes that will develop the capabilities of public and private institutions which are offering TESD programs are under this. Section 24. Assistance to Employers and Organizations. The Authority shall assist any employer or organization engaged in skills training schemes designed to attain its objectives under and regulations which the Authority shall establish for this purpose. Section 25. Coordination of all Skills Training Schemes. All training centers for TESD shall coordinate with the Authority for assessment and evaluation of efficiency and effectiveness. Section 26. Industry Boards. This is the coordination with the industry boards (those who are into businesses) for employment of the skilled workers produced. Section 27. Incentive Schemes. Incentives are given to motivate different institutions to continue to provide high quality TESD opportunities. Section 28. Skills Development Opportunities. It is aiming for the providing of opportunities equitable and accessible to all particularly the disadvantaged sectors. Section 29. Devolution of TESDAs Training Function to Local Government. It is to maintain a plan in resuming the effective providing of TESD opportunities, the local governments capability to sustain their responsibility in the implementation. Section 30. Skills Olympics. This is an avenue for the participants to showcase their skills not only locally but globally. Section 31. The TESDA Development Fund. The funds are exclusively used in grants, incentives and assistance to training institutions and others to upgrade the services and opportunities offered by TESDA.

Section 32. Scholarship Grants. TESDA also offers scholarship grants to deserving individuals who are eager to learn.

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Section 33. TESDA Budget. The budgeting of the TESDA funds are according or based from the previous appropriation left for each programs implemented. Section 34. Transitory Provisions. Section 35. Automatic Review. Section 36. Implementing Rules and Guidelines. Section 37. Repealing Clause. Section 38. Separability Clause. Section 39. Effectivity.

References: 1. www.tesda.gov.ph: TESDAs Official Website 2. Laws on Education, New Edition by Neo Asia Publishing, Inc. 2006: Rules and Regulations Implementing the TESDA Act of 1994. 3. The Law and the Teaching Profession in the Philippines by Atty. Cecilio Dioneda Duka, ED.D. 2008 4. Teaching Strategies and Educational Alternatives, Volume II by Francisco M. Zulueta and Kathleen L. Guimbatan 2002. 5. The Teaching Profession by Purita P. Bilbao et.al 2006