The Language Skills Institute (LSI) will commence its operations simultaneously in all the eleven (11) LSI sites nationwide on the English Language Proficiency Program on November 19, 2007. TESDA Region 8 is one of the 11 regional sites to start operations at the Regional Training Center, Abucay, Tacloban City, while Balicuatro College of Arts & Trades (BCAT) in Allen, No. Samar will start on November 26, 2007 along with the other 23 regional sites.

The language training is free and provided by TESDA, through the PGMA-Training for Work Scholarship Project (TWSP).

The LSI, established by TESDA, is a network of 35 National/Regional Institutes in the country that will provide language skills training to competent and qualified Filipinos intending to work locally and overseas. It offers workplace language skills training in Arabic, English, Korean, Mandarin, Nihongo and Spanish for job-ready workers. Initially, it has been open to job-ready workers for Call Center Agents-BPOs/English-speaking bound workers. The Regional LSIs are expected to expand the provision to 6 languages as needed in the area.

Application Requirements:

1. Call Center Agents/BPO Workers
a. Must be computer literate
b. Should get a score of 55-69 in ProSpeak pre-assessment being administered by TESDA

2. Other categories - Butchers, Caregivers, Household Service Workers, Massage
Therapists, Spa Therapists, Welders, others bound for English
speaking countries
They shall be exempted from taking the ProSpeak pre-assessment given the following conditions:
a. When the applicants already have Employment Contract, hence, are
ready for deployment; or
b. When the applicants are certified by TESDA in the qualification in which they shall be employed and shall be practicing abroad, e.g. Butchers, Caregivers, Welders, etc.

3. Photocopy of any of the following;
a. Certificate of Competency issued by TESDA
b. Training Certificate from TESDA-registered program
c. Diploma from Higher Education Institutions

4. Photocopy of Birth certificate from NSO to show that the applicant is not less than 18 years old

5. 1 pc. 2×2 and 2 pcs. 1×1 white background pictures

For further information, please contact the following TESDA Offices:

TESDA Regional Office - Brgy. Abucay, Tacloban City (tel. # (053) 321-4365; 523-2660)
Regional Training Center - Brgy. Abucay, Tacloban City (tel. # (053) 321-8249/523-9229)