Section 21Sec./Art. 21

Formulation of a Comprehensive Development Plan for Middle-Level Manpower. -The Authority shall formulate a comprehensive development plan for middle-level manpower based on a national employment plan or policies for the optimum allocation, development and utilization of skilled workers for employment entrepreneurship and technology development for economic and social growth. This plan shall, after adoption by the Authority, be updated periodically and submitted to the President of the Philippines for approval. Thereafter, it shall be the plan for technical education and skills development for the entire country within the framework of the National Development Plan. The Authority shall direct the TESDA Secretariat to call on its member-agencies, the private sector and the academe to assist in this effort.

The comprehensive plan shall provide for a reformed industry-based training program including apprenticeship, dual training system and other similar schemes intended to:

(a) promote maximum protection and welfare of the worker-trainee;

(b) improve the quality and relevance and social accountability of technical education and skills development;

(c) accelerate the employment-generation efforts of the government; and

(d) expand the range of opportunities for upward social mobility of the school-going population beyond the traditional higher levels of formal education.

All government and non-government agencies receiving financial and technical assistance from the government shall be required to formulate their respective annual agency technical education and skills development plan in line with the national technical education and skills development plan. The budget to support such plans shall be subject to review and endorsement by the Authority to the Department of Budget and Management.

The Authority shall evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of agencies skills development program and schemes to make them conform with the quantitative and qualitative objectives of the national technical education and skills development plan.