The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is ready to provide free training and assessment to 8,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are expected to avail of the government’s repatriation program amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“We can accommodate the 8,000 as the Secretary already gave instructions to earmark funding for them, not just for training funded by scholarships, but also for free assessment,” TESDA Public Information Office Director Floramel Joy Songsong told the Philippine News Agency in an interview Tuesday.

She said around 2,234 certificates of commitment were already given to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), with DMW reporting that around 413 of these have been distributed to OFWs.

She said the workers need to show these certificates to TESDA offices or accredited schools to avail of the benefits, she said.

Meanwhile, she said around 6,000 certificates are being prepared in anticipation of the influx of returning OFWs.

“Per Secretary Kiko (Benitez), the DMW asked for 5,000, while DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) said over 900 are waiting for deployment,” she said.

Repatriated OFWs may avail of training in various sectors such as construction, hospitality, caregiving and information technology.

TESDA is also facilitating entrepreneurship training to help returning workers start their own businesses and achieve financial independence.

“OFWs have always been in the list of our special clients. We have this sector in mind when we conceptualize programs and services. We want them to be equipped and ready should they decide to return to the Philippines and stay for good when their contracts end or if there’s any disruption in their employment abroad,” Songsong explained.

She expressed hope that OFWs will take advantage of this opportunity for their skills to be more globally-competitive and future-proofed. (PNA)