MANILA, Philippines – In line with the Aquino administration’s thrust to create more jobs and widen the opportunities for the Filipino work force, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has opened foreign language courses in its regional centers especially for overseas Filipino workers leaving for abroad for high-paying jobs, the Palace said on Saturday.
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview that TESDA is now offering language courses such Mandarin, Spanish, Korean, Nihongo and Arabic.
TESDA is also encouraging new graduates to study foreign language to enhance their chance of landing a job abroad, Valte told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
“Sa mga bagong graduates natin, kung nag-iisip pa kayo kung kaya ba ng ating mga magulang na makapagtuloy tayo ng kolehiyo, puwedeng tingnan ang mga vocational courses sa TESDA dahil maraming mga bagong offerings katulad ng mga foreign language courses,” she said.
According to Valte there is an increasing demand for Filipinos who can speak different languages because they could also be employed as tour guides in the country as more tourists arrive in the Philippines.
There is a high demand for tour guides who can speak Korean and Mandarin, according to Valte. Tour guides can also work as tutors and translators, she added.
Multinational companies are also hiring translators who can speak different languages, she said.
Valte encouraged OFWs to visit TESDA’s website if they are interested in the new offerings.
“Para din ito sa mga OFW natin na mangingibang-bansa na gustong matuto nung language sa lugar na pupuntahan nila to find jobs much easier, check natin ang mga bagong courses na ino-offer sa TESDA,” she said.
Aside from TESDA’s new offerings, the vocational learning institution maintains its usual mechanical and technical courses such as hotel housekeeping courses, barista, hairdressing, salon professionals and other courses, Valte said.
