Baguio city: The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in the Cordillera Administrative Region (TESDA-CAR) is offering scholarships for 21 creative skills to help workers improve their competencies or acquire new ones. Romar Agpes, senior technical education and skills development specialist of TESDA-Benguet, highlighted that interested individuals should visit TESDA offices to learn more about the available scholarships.
According to Philippines News Agency, the scholarships cover skills at levels II to IV, including ballet and performing arts, traditional Filipino embroidery, 3D printing, scriptwriting, radio and audio production, television and digital program scriptwriting, embroidery pattern design, and film and video postproduction. Other offerings include marble carving, shell craft production, film grip operation, abaca hammock production, artisanal and backstrap handloom weaving, wood and basket weaving, paper mache making, mat weaving, beadwork accessories making, and embroidery.
Agpes mentioned that while some of the scholarships have been available since 2019, most were introduced in 2025 following Baguio City's designation as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art. He encouraged interested applicants, particularly groups, to take advantage of the scholarships to avoid the wait for individual enrollees to fill the minimum 25 slots.
The scholarship benefits may include tuition, training allowance, materials, and toolkits, depending on the program. Agpes emphasized that these government-funded scholarships are designed to help trainees earn a national certificate, recognized internationally, which may be used as a credential when applying for work abroad related to their skills.
During the launch of Philippine Creative Industries Month in Baguio City, it was highlighted by the Department of Trade and Industry that the creative sector is valued at PHP2 trillion, contributing approximately 7 percent of the country's gross domestic product. The sector also supports around 8 million jobs, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.
