GOVPH

TESDA PROGRAMS OFFERED TO FILIPINOS IN SOUTH KOREA

1 September 2022. “Filipinos in South Korea, including their families, can avail of skills training and competency assessment of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) while abroad or in the Philippines”, this was shared by Deputy Director General Aniceto “John” Bertiz of TESDA during their meeting with the Philippine Embassy and Filipino community in South Korea at an information session on 1 September 2022.

According to DDG Bertiz, TESDA OPLAN “Abot Lahat ang OFWs” offers a complete menu of pre-training; training, assessment and certification; and post training services in which overseas Filipinos and their families can avail of one-stop-shop training facilities, scholarships, and livelihood support for reintegration program through Skills and Entrepreneurship (OFW-RISE). While abroad, OFWs are also enjoined to avail of over 150 online courses offered by TESDA for free, which they can access at a pace and time convenient for them.  

TESDA Regional Director Toni June Tamayo and Director Rolando dela Torre discussed the steps by which online training and on-site skills assessment for OFWs in South Korea will be implemented in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy and POLO-OWWA.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon – De Vega welcomed the various programs of TESDA for overseas Filipinos and affirmed the Embassy’s support for proposed cooperation projects with the agency. “The Embassy looks forward to partnering with TESDA to bring the on-site competency assessment for OFWs here in South Korea and to expand its free Korean language skills and other training programs. This is line with our advocacy and whole of government approach on upskilling and retooling Filipino nationals to enhance their employability as well as prepare them for reintegration”, the Ambassador said.

The TESDA delegation was in South Korea upon the invitation of the Human Resource Development of Korea (HRDK) under the K-Star Partnership Program for Skills Development from 26 August to 2 September 2022. As part of their program, the delegation met the Embassy and Filipino community, and joined online in an ongoing Photography Skills Training conducted by POLO-OWWA.  

The meeting with TESDA was attended by Filipino community leaders and members via a blended platform, both face to face and via Zoom. -END-

PHIL AMBASSADOR AFFIRMS HEIGHTENED COOPERATION ON EMPLOYMENT AND SAFETY OF FOREIGN WORKERS

29 August 2022. Ambassador Theresa Dizon – De Vega highlighted the enduring cooperation of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the sixteen (16) participating countries in the Employment Permit System (EPS) including the Philippines during the 2022 EPS Conference on 29 to 30 August 2022.

In her message, the Philippine Ambassador lauded the important measures taken by the Philippines and ROK, through their respective agencies, in expediting the entry and re-entry of new Filipino EPS workers to Korea which has reached over 3,600 in recent months.

Citing the challenges faced by governments, employers and workers during the pandemic, she put forth concrete suggestions on the process of hiring of Filipino workers particularly those affected by cancellation and entry suspension in consideration of their competence, language skills, and loyalty to companies. She also underscored the value of enhanced coordination through regular meetings of the Embassies with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) and the Human Resource Development Service of Korea (HRDK). “As a stakeholder, the Philippines’ commitment to continually achieve constructive and cooperative solutions on EPS is as strong as it was 18 years ago when we first signed the MOU on EPS with Korea”, the Ambassador said.

During the conference, the Philippine Ambassador also inked an undertaking to promote the safety and health of foreign workers in South Korea. She signed the Letter of Intent (LOI) on the Prevention of Industrial Accidents of Foreign Workers together with President Uh Soobong of the HRDK, President Ahn Jong Ju of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) and the Embassies of EPS sending countries. Under the LOI, an app on occupational safety and health will be produced in various languages and local safety trainers will be developed to help prevent industrial accidents among EPS workers. 

Ambassador de Vega’s participation in the Opening Ceremony of Korea’s National Skills Competition and an industrial visit to the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) likewise provided an important opportunity for more Embassy engagement with the HRDK and industry partners on employment and skills development.

The EPS conference was organized by the HRDK as a venue for exchanging experiences and inputs on EPS. It was attended by HRDK and local government officials, and the Ambassadors and Labor Attaches of the participating countries. END

PHILIPPINE DELEGATES TAKE PART IN YOUTH CAMP FOR ASEAN AND FRIENDS’ ENGAGEMENT (YCAFE)

23 August 2022 – Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr. attended the Opening Ceremony of the Youth Camp for ASEAN & Friends’ Engagement (YCAFE) held on 22 August 2022 at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul. This marks the inaugural launch of the flagship youth program between the ASEAN member states and the Republic of Korea.

One of the highlights of YCAFE is its connectivity arrangements with other youth program such as the ASEAN Korea Centre (AKC) led ASEAN Youth Network in Korea (AYNK), and the US led Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).

The launch was attended by Officials from ROK MOFA, US State Department, the US and ASEAN Ambassadors in ROK, and youth participants of the YCAFE who flew to Korea. 

CDA Romulo Victor Israel Jr. (center-left) with Filipino participants of the ASEAN-ROK Youth Camp for ASEAN Friends’ Engagement, (L to R) Prof. Jeoffrey Calimag, Ms. Dawn Naval, and Mr. Justin Van Rivera.

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