The establishment of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training center in Murcia, Negros Occidental was approved yesterday by the House committee on Higher and Technical Education.

As stipulated in House Bill No. 2333, authored by Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, the bill seeks to establish a TESDA training and assessment center in Murcia to widen access to technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs in the municipality and neighboring local government units.

Benitez said the training and assessment center will bring TVET programs closer to the people of Murcia, open new opportunities for gainful employment and livelihood, and contribute to poverty alleviation.

With poverty incidence of 21.3 percent in 2018, which is virtually unchanged from 21.6 percent in 2009, Murciahanons, through TVET programs, will develop new skill sets and enable them to acquire jobs and earn higher income, he added.

The training and assessment center, according to HB 2333, will offer short term certificate courses, and modular trainings in preferred technical-vocational skills and trades specialization, with departments of Trade and Industry, Labor and Employment, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Interior and Local Government, as well as National Economic Development Authority, and other relevant agencies, to provide necessary assistance.

It may also establish research and technology hubs, technology development farms, satellite or extension training centers, and provide mobile training programs to strengthen linkages among the industry partners and academe.*