The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) forged a partnership in 2019 that aims to strengthen the capacity and competence of cooperative members, officers and staff by providing the access to technical and skills development training. In line with the agreement, CDA promoted the programs of TESDA and identified members, officers and staff of cooperatives who became beneficiaries of the Technical Vocational Education Training particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs), indigenous peoples and rebel returnees in Mindanao.
Because of the success of the program, the partnership was renewed in 2021 with the inclusion of the Cooperative Development and Management (CDM) Level IV Course. This CDM Level IV is a competency-based course that is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of a person to be able to establish a cooperative, develop quality products and services, develop human resources, practice good governance, ensure safe and sound operations and contribute to social, economic and environmental sustainability. It consisted of 34 hours of basic Competencies, 46 hours of Common competencies and 120 hours of Core Competencies for a total of 200 hours.
The course was pilot-tested in two (2) CDA Regional Offices, Region IV-A and NCR. The graduation ceremonies were held on April 29, 2022 and June 13, 2022, respectively with a total of 41 graduates. The CDA is now working with TESDA for its replication in other Regions.- Emme Grace P. Alverne, CRITD
