CATBALOGAN CITY — In a bid to enhance Philippine technical-vocational training through international cooperation, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is looking to collaborate with the governments of Sweden and Finland.
TESDA Director General, Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu, met with Her Excellency Maria Lumen Isleta, Philippine Ambassador to Sweden with concurrent jurisdiction over Finland, on February 16 at the TESDA Central Office in Taguig City.
During the meeting, discussions centered on potential cooperation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) between the Philippines and the Nordic countries of Finland and Sweden.
Secretary Mangudadatu emphasized the Philippines’ aim to strengthen its workforce with high-quality skills aligned with the demands of the rapidly evolving global economy.
“We hope that our partnership will come to fruition. It underscores TESDA’s commitment to fostering excellence and innovation in TVET, aligning with the Philippine government’s broader agenda of human capital development and economic growth,” stated Secretary Mangudadatu.
Exploratory talks included sectors such as health, particularly nursing aid, information technology (IT), electronics, and the development of Swedish and Finnish language training programs.
TESDA also expressed its intention to pursue a previously proposed bilateral agreement with Finland, aiming to enhance the TVET and skills development systems of both countries.
Previously, exploratory talks between TESDA and the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland resulted in a drafted Memorandum of Understanding covering various areas of cooperation, such as enhancing on-the-job training and lifelong learning approaches, and mutual recognition of skills and qualifications through recognition of assessment and certification systems, among others.
Secretary Mangudadatu also mentioned TESDA’s close coordination with relevant Philippine government agencies, such as the Department of Migrant Workers, in upskilling, reskilling, and deploying skilled workers to other countries.
Present during the meeting were Deputy Directors General Aniceto Bertiz III, Vidal Villanueva III, and other TESDA officials.
