TESDA, IT firm launch digital literacy program

MANILA, Philippines — Devising tools that enable people to manage solutions that generate effective products in businesses and other industries requires skills that are more conveniently acquired through the use of technology.

With the volume of Filipino web users using social media, Intel Philippines and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) see potential in scaling up the traditional learning environment to an online platform.

Intel, the world leader in computing innovation, and TESDA, the premier agency to offer courses and training centers for online learning, officially launched the Intel Easy Steps program at the recently concluded 1st Technical Education and Skills Development Congress in Pasay City.

The partnership aims to realize a common vision to make technical education and skills development courses more available and accessible to Filipinos here and abroad through the Intel Easy Steps program.

With the end goal of developing the 21st century Filipino skilled workforce, Intel and TESDA see potential in scaling up the ICT competencies.

“We have seen the rate of development in other Asia Pacific countries through the use of different forms of technology. We are raising the bar here in the Philippines with the Intel Easy Steps program. With the extensive learning materials and approach provided by the program, we can expand our reach to a lot more Filipinos and empower them with ICT skills, a must competency for TESDA programs,” said Secretary Joel Villanueva, Director General, TESDA.

The Intel Easy Steps program is geared towards bringing forth the technology needed to acquire 21st century skills and drive economic growth with a skilled workforce.

Easy Steps is an advanced platform that allows its participants to have a hands-on technological experience in order to gain the basic competencies in digital literacy.

The Intel Easy Steps modules are designed to help users understand basic computer and web-based applications, such as graphics, word processing, spreadsheets, multimedia applications, internet search, email, instant messaging and collaborative documents, while teaching them how to utilize their computer skills in real-life situations including employment and entrepreneurship.

“We have already developed the necessary materials to launch the Easy Steps program into the web environment, specifically in the social media website, Facebook. This innovation will allow us to quickly augment digital literacy not only here in the Philippines but also overseas. We are hoping to open this application to our TESDA users as early as next month,” said Ricky Banaag, Country Manager, Intel Philippines.

TESDA will continue to provide digital literacy knowledge and skills to its various users here and abroad using the Intel Easy Steps module.