TESDA Guide: Courses, Scholarships and Certificates

Start here if you are new to TESDA

TESDA runs short skills courses that end with a National Certificate (NC), and many of them are free. So first learn what TESDA offers, and whether you can join.

• What TESDA is: its programs, and whether a course is worth it for you.
• Whether college graduates and working people can enroll.
• The free TESDA Online Program, for the theory part you can study at home.

Get in for free

Many learners train for free on a scholarship, and the scholarships also pay a daily allowance while you train. However, the free slot only helps if the school itself is legitimate.

• TESDA scholarships: TWSP, STEP and PESFA, the documents you need, and the daily allowance.
• Checking if a school is accredited by TESDA before you pay or enroll.

Pick a course that pays

The best course is the one with real job demand after you finish. Therefore, compare the pay and the demand, here and abroad, before you choose.

• TESDA courses most in demand for work abroad.
• Caregiving NC II: the cost, the requirements, and how to spot a good program.
• Aircon servicing or solar: which course pays better.
• Solar installation: what actually gets you certified.

After training: your National Certificate

Your NC has an expiry date, and jobs abroad usually ask for an authenticated copy. Meanwhile, workers with years of experience can get certified without retraining.

• Renewing your NC, and what it actually costs.
• Getting a TESDA CAV and DFA apostille for work abroad.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): certification without retraining.

Also on WisePH: our SSS guide, Pag-IBIG guide and PhilHealth guide. For the newest TESDA updates, see the latest TESDA posts.