In a bid to address local labor market demands and skills gap, representatives from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Bacolod City officials are collaborating to establish a TESDA training center within Bacolod City, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Once realized, it marks the first time a local government unit in Western Visayas will manage a TESDA training center.
The center will offer courses aligned with Bacolod’s economic development plan, focusing on emerging sectors like digital technologies, renewable energy, healthcare, and agri-industrial work.
The proposal is one of the projects that will be pursued once the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council is created and institutionalized in the city.
TVET institutionalization features includes a City TVET Council – a recommendatory body to plan and operate the center, determining priority courses and schedules; budget allocation – dedicated funding in Bacolod’s annual budget for TVET programs; and shared governance – TESDA will provide technical guidance and accreditation, while the LGU handles center management and operations.
The plan aligns with TESDA’s National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP) 2023-2028, which prioritizes industry-aligned training and lifelong learning to create a globally competitive workforce.
The center is expected to serve not only Bacolod residents but also nearby communities, fostering regional workforce enhancement.
This initiative reflects TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez’s vision to strengthen partnerships between national agencies and LGUs to deliver sustainable TVET programs.*
