THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has said that its Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) livelihood training is now going beyond just teaching skills like making Filipino famous bread pandesal by adding entrepreneurship lessons meant to help learners turn training into actual income.
Secretary Kiko Benitez said the agency had long seen a gap in its community-based livelihood program.
“Before, you teach them how to make pandesal, then give them a toolkit for making pandesal, and that is where it ends,” Benitez said during a press briefing in Taguig City on Friday.
Benitez said Tesda is now trying to fix that loose end by adding entrepreneurship at the end of its livelihood training.
He said the new component includes guidance on how learners can look for capital if they want to start a business.
Benitez said Tesda is working with Land Bank, the Department of Trade and Industry, and SB Corp. to help learners find possible financing.
He added that Tesda is also linking its training with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program to help produce more cooperatives and small enterprises.
“Local government units also need to understand how to do workforce development planning and the entire supply chain, from production to marketing,” Benitez said.Benitez said Tesda is also discussing partnerships with the Department of Trade and Industry, GoNegosyo, and local government units so products from Tesda schools and STEP training can get marketing outlets.
