Bacolod city: The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Wednesday announced the launch of a free artificial intelligence (AI) training program, with the initial ceremony taking place at STI West Negros University in Bacolod City.
According to Philippines News Agency, the TESDA's Readiness Training Program aims to benefit over 3,000 individuals from April to December this year. This initiative is part of TESDA's strategy to align the workforce's competencies with global industry demands and supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s goal of establishing a digitally skilled Filipino workforce capable of thriving in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez emphasized the program's role in enabling learners to engage with the digital economy and secure improved prospects for themselves and their families. The program includes specialized courses under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), such as Data Collection and Annotation (Data Science/Artificial Intelligence) Level II, AI Prompting for Automation Level III, and Data Analytics Level III, which are intended to prepare participants for careers in the digital and AI-driven economy.
Eligibility for training is extended to Filipino citizens who are at least 18 years old by the end of the training, have completed at least 10 years of basic education or hold an Alternative Learning System (ALS) Grade 10 certification, are physically and mentally fit, can communicate in basic English, and have basic computer skills. Priority is given to returning overseas Filipino workers, displaced workers, unemployed individuals, and out-of-school youth.
For the initial training rollout, TESDA reported that 50 scholars from Bacolod City are participating, with 25 enrolled in AI Prompting and another 25 in Data Collection and Annotation. The program is being conducted in collaboration with AMA Education System, STI College, and other partner institutions across the country.
The AI training program is available in various locations including Aklan, Bacolod, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Cebu, General Santos City, Isabela, Manila, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Laguna, Leyte, Las Pi±as, Pampanga, Quirino, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Tarlac.
