Section 8Sec./Art. 8

Powers and Functions of the Board.- The Authority shall primarily be responsible for formulating, continuing, coordinated and fully integrated technical education and skills development policies, plans and programs taking into consideration the following:

(a) the State policy declared herein of giving new direction and thrusts to efforts in developing the quality of Filipino human resource through technical education and skills development;

(b) the implementation of the above-mentioned policy requires the coordination and cooperation of policies, plans, and programs of different concerned sectors of Philippine society;

(c) equal participation of representatives of industry groups, trade associations, employers, workers and government shall be made the rule in order to ensure that urgent needs and recommendations are readily addressed; and

(d) improved linkages between industry, labor and government shall be given priority in the formulation of any national-level plan.

The Board, shall have the following powers:

(1) promulgate, after due consultation with industry groups, trade associations, employers, workers, policies, plans, programs and guidelines as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act;

(2) organize and constitute various standing committees, subsidiary groups, or technical working groups for efficient integration, coordination and monitoring technical education and skills development programs at the national, regional, and local levels;

(3) enter into, make, execute, perform and carry-out domestic and foreign contracts subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;

(4) restructure the entire sub-sector consisting of all institutions and programs involved in the promotion and development of middle-level manpower through upgrading, merger and/or phase-out following a user-led strategy;

(5) approve trade skills standards and trade tests as established and conducted by private industries;

(6) establish and administer a system of accreditation of both public and private institutions;

(7) establish, develop and support institutions' trainors' training and/or programs;

(8) lend support and encourage increasing utilization of the dual training system as provided for by Republic Act No. 7686;

(9) exact reasonable fees and charges for such tests and trainings conducted and retain such earnings for its own use, subject to guidelines promulgated by the Authority;

(10) allocate resources, based on the Secretariat's recommendations, for the programs and projects it shall undertake pursuant to approved National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan;

(11) determine and approve systematic funding schemes such as the Levy and Grant scheme for technical education and skills development purposes;

(12) create, when deemed necessary, an Advisory Committee which shall provide expert and technical advice to the Board to be chosen from the academe and the private sector:Provided,That in case the Advisory Committee is created, the Board is hereby authorized to set aside a portion of its appropriation for its operation; and

(13) perform such other duties and functions necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act consistent with the purposes of the creation of TESDA.