Filipinos can now take technical and vocational courses at the Technical Education and Skills Development Administration (TESDA) in the comfort of their homes by enrolling in any of its online courses. Enrollment is free of charge.
Called the TESDA Online Program or TOP, the program targets students, out-of-school youth, unemployed workers, overseas Filipino workers, and others who may have no time or opportunity to attend classroom-type training. Its aim is to make technical education accessible to Filipinos through the Internet.
Those interested to enroll are required to register with the TESDA TOP site at http://www.e-tesda.gov.ph.
TOP offers online training on:
- Information technology
- Computer hardware servicing
- Tourism
- Room attendant servicing
- Guest room attendant servicing
- Electronics
- Cellphone servicing
- Fruit growing
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
- Automotives
- Training methodology
- Massage therapy
Some of the programs, especially those on IT and computer hardware servicing, can be a basis for self-employment or a small-scale or micro business.
The programs, are, however, still in their incubation or beta stage and thus are enable to issue certificates at the end of training.