DTI to train TESDA graduates

MANILA, Philippines -  The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has entered into a partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide the latter’s graduates with access to trainings on entrepreneurship, equipping them with the necessary skills on entrepreneurship and employment.

 The DTI said the partnership is part of the agency’s thrust to increase awareness on the positive gains of entrepreneurship.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said business skills by TESDA trainees to be acquired from the Skills Training for Employment/Entrepreneurship Program (STEEP) could be used in effectively running their businesses in the future.

 “This partnership not only complements our objective to equip our people with the right mindset and basic skills, it also contributes to our national goal to realize inclusive growth towards shared prosperity, powered by smarter Filipino entrepreneurs,” Lopez said.

STEEP aims to provide interventions through skills development by providing access to training on entrepreneurship to graduates of TESDA program for self or wage employment to uplift their economic status.

“Through this partnership, we are glad to help TESDA graduates acquire more skills and development which can give them more opportunities to improve their lives by engaging in vibrant entrepreneurial activities,” DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said.

Under the agreement, TESDA will provide DTI a list of graduates from its scholarship programs such as the special training for employment program, assist in the conduct of the entrepreneurship training, and monitor and evaluate the implementation of the project.

Upon assessment and selection of TESDA’s certified STEEP graduates, DTI, in turn, will provide entrepreneurship training, provide access to start-up capital for micro enterprises, assist in availment of the microfinancing facilities, and facilitate business registration of those who wish to engage in business/sole proprietorship.

“From giving them the right mindset, to ensuring that they will have assistance until they decided to put up their own business, we will make sure that we are with them every step of their entrepreneurial journey,” Maglaya said.