Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10)— Public utility vehicle drivers and operators who may be displaced by the jeepney modernization may avail of a free training program to help them “start a new career,” the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said on Wednesday..
“Maraming tsuper diyan na hindi naman nila linya ang pagluluto, nag-enroll sa amin sa aming cookery, ganoon na rin po sa aming bread and pastries, welding, engine mechanic, tapos ‘yung nag-level -up ng nang kanilang lisensya, nag-enroll po sa atin ng higher driving courses natin tulad po ng mga operate ng mga heavy equipment,” TESDA Deputy Director General Aniceto Bertiz told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon.
[Translation: Many drivers enrolled in our cooking classes. Some enrolled in welding and engine mechanic classes. Some even enrolled to level up their driving licenses, they took higher driving courses for operating heavy equipment.]
Bertiz said that the training program is in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr). It was first offered to drivers during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Jan. 8, TESDA issued a statement supporting the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
“Under the Tsuper Iskolar program, drivers, operators, and their family members who have been displaced or otherwise affected by the PUVMP are entitled to free tech-voc skills training, and assessment and certification. They shall also receive a training allowance of Php 350/day (for a maximum of 35 days),” it said.
“Further, we understand that there are individuals whose livelihoods have been or will be affected by this initiative in one way or another. In line with this, TESDA has been implementing its Tsuper Iskolar Scholarship Program with the DOTr since 2019. For 2023, a Php300 million fund was transferred to TESDA for this scholarship program,” it said.
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Meanwhile, TESDA said it will offer more training this year as it has observed emerging skill interests.
Bertiz said free training programs are open to people 18 years old and above and who are at least high school graduates:
Content Creation (Social Media) Level III
Aesthetic Services Level III
Digital Farm Operation Level II
Beverage Product Development Level IV
Film and Video Postproduction Level III
Basic 3D Building Information Modelling Level III
Data Analytics Level III
Cyber Threat Monitoring Levels I and II
Halal Awareness (Micro CS)
