The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers varying programs to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents to help them improve their educational background for more career and job opportunities. One of the educational benefits OWWA offers is the Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP). It aims to support OWWA members and their dependents to access TESDA vocational courses.
Also Read: OWWA EDSP Education for Development Scholarship Program
The SESP scholarship offers short-term training programs, from 6 months to 2 years, to increase the number of employable and skilled employees. It provides 6 months of vocational and 1 year of technical courses and adopts the standard school year scheme. The career-enhancing courses offered under SESP also vary, which can help qualified applicants obtain better jobs or promotions.
So read on to find out how to apply for the OWWA SESP scholarship if you’re looking for assistance to avail of technical-vocational courses.
What is OWWA SESP?
The Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) of OWWA is a short-term training program for 6 months to 2 years. It offers up to a P14,500 scholarship grant per training course to OFW OWWA members and their beneficiaries who want to take technical-vocational courses. The SESP scholarship applies to schools accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and other government training institutions.
Through the SESP scholarship, qualified applicants can enroll in training courses in their regions, which cover a maximum of P14,500 per course, no matter the training duration. This program provides educational support thru scholarship, which aims to develop skills through technical-vocational courses. It will also open up more employment opportunities and job promotions. Thus, qualified applicants will get better chances of getting employed or starting a small business.
However, if the applicant’s preferred course training fee exceeds the said amount, they will shoulder the remaining balance. Furthermore, OFWs can avail of the scholarship program for up to 6 months upon the expiration of the OWWA membership status. For OFWs dependents, the age limit is now 24 years old instead of 21 if the dependent is single.
Benefits
Here are the following benefits qualified applicants can enjoy by availing of the OWWA SESP scholarship grant:
- OFW OWWA members and their dependents will receive a free scholarship program amounting to P14,500 maximum per training course, regardless of the program duration. But applicants should cover the remaining balance if the chosen program training fee exceeds the said amount.
- Completing additional training courses will broaden and enhance the knowledge and skills of qualified applicants in their chosen areas of expertise.
- Once training is complete, TESDA will grant the applicants a National Certificate (NC I or NC II). It is a standard requirement when applying for local and international skill-based jobs.
- By obtaining a National Certificate from TESDA, qualified applicants will get better chances of landing a job or getting a promotion.
Courses Offered Under SESP
For OFW OWWA members and their dependents, here are the following TESDA-accredited courses you can choose from under the SESP scholarship:
- Agriculture and Fishery
- Communication, Electronics & Information Technology
- Construction
- Decorative Crafts and Ceramics
- Furniture and Fixtures
- Garments
- Gifts, Toys, and Housewares
- Health, Social Services, and Other Community
- Jewelry
- Maritime Land Transport
- Metals and Engineering
- Processed Food and Beverages
- Social and Personal Services
- Tourism (Hotel and Restaurant)
Qualifications
Before applying for the scholarship, take a look at the qualifications below for OWWA SESP:
- Must be a Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines
- At least a high school graduate
- The applicant should be an OFW with active OWWA membership status (both land-based and sea-based)
- The applicant should have at least one (1) OWWA membership contribution
- The applicant should be the dependent of an OWWA member with good moral character, and the scholarship is limited to:
- Children
- Spouse
- Parents
- The child dependent of OWWA members below 21 years old are not taking any course at the time of application.
- The sibling dependent of single/unmarried OWWA members below 24 years old is not taking any course at the time of application.
- The applicant should pass the TESDA qualifying assessment or the Multiple Aptitude Battery Test (MABT) of the chosen program. It is free at the applicant’s preferred school.
Once the course is complete, the applicant should apply for TESDA competency for evaluation and certification to secure a National Certificate (NC I or NC II). Also, take note that the OFW should have at least three (3) OWWA membership contributions to subsequently avail of the SESP scholarship grant.
Requirements
If you’re qualified to avail of the program, you should secure the following requirements for the OWWA SESP scholarship:
- Duly filled out SESP Application Form (available at OWWA RWO)
- 2×2 colored ID picture (2 copies)
- At least two (2) valid IDs
- Any proof of High School completion, such as a Diploma, High School Report Card, or Transcript of Records General Wt. Average in 4th HS
- Proof of applicants relationship with the OFW OWWA members:
- For OFWs child- Birth Certificate of the applicant
- For OFWs sibling- Birth Certificate of the applicant and OFW
- For OFWs spouse- Marriage Certificate
- For single/unmarried OFWs- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
- Any proof of OWWA membership, like:
- OWWA membership payment official receipt
- POEA verified contract
- For sea-based OFWs- Seaman’s book
- E-Card
How to Apply for SESP Scholarship
After securing the documentary requirements, qualified applicants may follow the steps below to apply for the OWWA SESP scholarship:
- Head to the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) that covers your permanent address.
- Secure and fill out the SESP Application Form.
- Get a queuing number or fall in line for the EDSP scholarship application section.
- Show your valid ID at the Education and Training Unit to verify your OWWA Membership Record.
- If valid, submit the duly accomplished application form with your documentary requirements.
- Secure a schedule to claim the Notice of Award (NOA).
- Next, return to OWWA RWO on the date of issuance of NOA.
- Then, proceed to Counter 1 to secure the NOA.
Do note that the Notice of Award (NOA) is claimable after 2 working days upon submitting the completed requirements for applicants in the National Capital Region (NCR). Meanwhile, it will take 7 working days to claim the Notice of Award (NOA) for applicants from other regions as the regional office will still conduct the verification process.
OWWA SESP Application Form
The SESP Application Form is available at OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO). Applicants may also download the application form thru this link and fill it out beforehand. Here is a sample of the SESP Application Form A:
Reminders for OWWA SESP Scholarship
If applying for the OWWA SESP scholarship, please take note of the following reminders:
- The SESP scholarship is free and only covers a maximum of P14,500 per course. If the applicant’s training fee exceeds the said amount, they are responsible for paying the remaining balance.
- The scholarship grant is accessible to OFW OWWA members and their dependents.
- To qualify for the SESP scholarship, the OFW should have at least one (1) OWWA membership contribution. But the applicant should have at least three (3) OWWA membership contributions for subsequent availing of the scholarship.
- OFW OWWA members’ sibling dependents can apply for the SESP scholarship for up to 24 years old, given the dependent is unmarried.
- When applying for a SESP scholarship, the applicant should visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office, which has coverage of their permanent address.
- The applicants should apply for TESDA competency for evaluation and certification to obtain their National Certificate (NC I or NC II) once the course is complete.
- Applicants in NCR can claim the Notice of Award (NOA)for 2 working days, while 7 working days for applicants from other regions after submitting their completed requirements.
Video: OWWA SCHOLARSHIP FOR OFW OR DEPENDENT TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL COURSES (SESP)
To learn more about the OWWA Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP), please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, the Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) provide career-enhancing courses to produce skilled employees for economic benefit. TESDA also collaborated with SESP, providing technical-vocational programs to qualified applicants.
It offers a maximum of P14,500 scholarship grants and varying courses for OFW OWWA members and their dependents. Thus, OFWs and their dependents can improve their career and have better employment opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OWWA SESP?
The Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) is an educational support program offered to OFW OWWA members and their dependents. This scholarship program covers up to a P14,500 training course for 6 months to 2 years. Additionally, the technical-vocational courses under the SESP can be availed at TESDA-accredited schools, improving the applicant’s skills and employment opportunities.
How to apply for OWWA SESP?
Applicants may apply for a SESP scholarship at the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) that covers their permanent address. However, they should meet the qualifications and obtain the documentary requirement. The OFW should also have at least one (1) OWWA membership contribution to qualify for the scholarship grant.
Who is eligible for OWWA SESP?
The OWWA SESP scholarship program is for OFWs with at least one (1) membership contribution. It’s also for the dependents of OFWs, such as their children, spouse, siblings, or parents. But the applicant should meet the age limit to qualify for the program.
Summary
The Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) of OWWA will benefit OFWs who wish to be experts in their chosen skills and obtain better jobs or promotions.
The OWWA SESP scholarship will also benefit OFWs dependents to improve their job opportunities locally and internationally. OFWs should also have at least one (1) OWWA membership contribution to access the SESP scholarship. So if you wish to apply for the OWWA SESP scholarship, follow this guide or contact OWWA directly for more inquiries.
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Contact Details
OWWA Central Office
Address: OWWA Center Building, F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Hotline: 1348
NCR Hotline: 09666250016
Reintegration Unit: 8834-0719
Website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
Email: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph