Historical Background

The establishment of the TESDA Women’s Center started in 1993 when former Senator Leticia Ramos- Shahani met with some members of the Japanese Diet. Between 1996 and 1997 the Exchange of Notes for the Project was done.  A total amount of Japanese Yen 2.620 Billion (USD 23.82M) was granted for the construction of the Center.  This development was in sync with TESDA’s affirmative action policy of ensuring that women are trained in industrial courses traditionally dominated by men. The policy requires that at least 10 percent of the total TESDA annual training graduates are women. The turnover / hand-over ceremony and inauguration of the TESDA Women’s Center and its Dormitory was held in 1998.

It was originally named the “National Vocational Training and Development Center for Women” but later changed to what is now known as the “TESDA Women’s Center”. 

In its sixteen (16) years of existence, TWC has already trained 4,852 women, who are equipped with skills and knowledge in their chosen qualification. Some of them have pursued their chosen fields through wage employment and some have established their own businesses and pursued the self- employment scheme. The center has made partnership with several known and prestigious establishments, enterprises and industries to assist the trainees in developing further their skills through their On-the-Job Training. For the past sixteen years of its operation, the center trained not only Filipino women but also from across the Asia Pacific.  Most of the trainers of the different qualifications were also trained abroad to further develop their skills and knowledge in their fields in close coordination with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

TWC has contributed a lot in expanding the capabilities of women, not only in developing their skills but also in enhancing the women’s expertise and potentials to be  productive that will help uplift the lives of Filipino families, communities and the nation as well.

TWC is the first internationally accredited training institution awarded silver award by the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) in 2008. Truly we can say that TWC is a world class skills training center for women.

Vision/ Mission/ Norm/ Capability Statement

VISION STATEMENT

In every Filipino household, a woman skilled for a living and educated for life.

MISSION STATEMENT

To develop the competence and character of women in the most marginalized sectors of the Philippine society to equip them with an employable skills and to prepare them for their role in the family and community thereby elevating their status towards gender equality.

CAPABILITY STATEMENT 

The TESDA Women’s Center (TWC) trains and educates women for life.  Its inclusive and holistic approach to training combines the best features of a competency-based training (CBT) delivery that is both learner-centered and industry-driven, and a life-skills program that emphasizes values like self-reliance, an entrepreneurial and pioneering spirit, strong work ethics, etc.  More than providing women with employable and marketable skills that build their capacities for wage and self-employment, its value added training gives equal attention to the development of one’s character, such that the positive contributions of women to society is greatly enhanced. 

Beyond being a model training center on competency-based training delivery, the TESDA Women’s Center aspires to be the Champion on mainstreaming gender and development (GAD) in the technical-vocational education and training (TVET) sector in the Philippines.  It upholds adherence to continuous improvement and quality-assured technical education and skills development (TESD) such that it will continue to be the frontrunner and model in training, research, and advocacy for women’s economic empowerment.