What TESDA reported

During a Senate hearing on its proposed 2027 budget, TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez said 34,766 beneficiaries had been identified for institution-based AI and data courses. He also said 10,000 BPO workers were undergoing enterprise-based upskilling.

TESDA said it had registered 133 micro-credential courses covering AI and digital skills. These totals are not the same as one nationwide course with 44,766 seats open for immediate application, and they do not guarantee employment after training.

What training may look like

A separate TESDA programme with STI and other partner institutions lists courses such as Data Collection and Annotation, AI Prompting for Automation and Data Analytics. That specific initiative expected 3,273 learners from April to December 2026 across named provinces and cities.

Course availability, entry requirements and remaining scholarship slots can differ by provider and location. Interested learners should confirm details directly with TESDA or an accredited school before paying, resigning from work or travelling.

Useful next steps

  • Ask your nearest TESDA office which AI or data course is currently open in your area.
  • Confirm whether the programme is a scholarship, employer-led training or a paid course.
  • Request the competency standard, schedule, assessment method and provider accreditation details.
  • Choose training tied to a real task or role, then keep samples that demonstrate what you can do.

Sources & further reading

Source note. The linked sources support the news in this article. The explanations and suggested next steps are from Pinoy AI Works.