The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA will offer free English language review classes for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that may be affected by the new labor policy in Saudi Arabia- the Saudization or Nitaqat system.
According to Joel Villanueva, Director General of TESDA, the government agency allotted Php5 million for this project that would allow qualified OFWs to receive free English language review classes.
Villanueva said, "It is hoped that through this assistance, the TESDA is able to contribute in the government's collaborative effort in reducing the negative effects of Saudization."
This service is also open to Filipino workers who wish to work in Australia or Canada. According to the chairman of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Rosalinda Baldoz, these are the countries with job opportunities for OFWs.
Australia and Canada both require their foreign workers to be fluent in the English language. A passing score in International English Language Test (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is one of the requisites in granting a work visa.
The TESDA will initially offer 1,000 slots for workers who can take review classes to prepare them for the IELTS or TOEFL.The TESDA director said that each qualified trainee will receive a full subsidy of Php5,000 for the language review class.
He said, "We don't want the impact of Saudization blowing up our face. Before it can be totally felt, we want to have measures in place to ease its impact on our OFWs and give them hope for new jobs."
The Php5 million fund will come from the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), one of TESDA's main scholarship programs.
The criteria in selecting OFWs to be granted a free language review class is yet to be established by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). A certification will be issued by the government agencies to serve as a proof that the OFW is entitled to receive the assistance.
To maximize resources, it is being considered to offer a pre-assessment process like on-line assessment guide for IELTS before availing of the TESDA assistance.