The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), in addition to the scholarships offered to OFW dependents, also offers short-term training programs for OFWs and their qualified dependents, in the form of the Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP).
The Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) is a scholarship program initiated by the OWWA, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)—a government agency tasked to both manage and supervise Technical Education and Skills Development in the country.
Also Read: How to Apply OWWA EDSP Scholarship Program
Originally designed for land-based and sea-based OWWA members, the SESP was improved to benefit active member-OFWs or their dependents. Under the program, both OFWs and their dependents get financial assistance to help them complete either a six-month vocational or a one- to two-year technical course during a regular academic year.
What is the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)?
The Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) is one of the many scholarship programs offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). It is one of the programs offered under their Short-term Training Programs for OFWs and Dependents program with the goal of helping OFWs and their dependents complete a technical or vocational course in any school accredited by TESDA, MARINA, and other government training institutions.
SESP Offerings
The program offers financial assistance to cover for the cost of the completion of the applicant’s or his/her dependent’s chosen short-term tech-voc courses in any TESDA- or MARINA-accredited training institution within their respective regions.
SESP Courses Offered
The following tech-voc courses are available for OFW members and their dependents to take and complete with the support of OWWA SESP.
- agriculture and fishery
- decorative crafts and ceramics
- processed food and beverages
- gifts, toys and housewares
- tourism (hotel and restaurant)
- jewelry
- metals and engineering
- furniture and fixtures
- garments
- construction
- communication/electronics/information technology
- maritime land transport
- health, social services and other community
- social and personal services
Limitations of the SESP
Note that though the SESP scholarship promises to cover the total cost of tuition fees, they only cover a fixed amount. This means that if the training fee of the applicant’s selected course exceeds the maximum amount offered by OWWA, then the applicant will have to shoulder the rest of the fees.
SESP Availability
However, it’s not all bad news. OWWA has extended the scholarship’s availability to both the OFWs and their dependents. By extending the availability period, both OWWA members and their qualified dependents can apply for or use the benefits of SESP for up to six (6) months after their OWWA membership coverage has expired. Not only that, OWWA has also adjusted the dependent-availability age limit. They raised the dependent age limit from twenty-one (21) years old to twenty-four (24) years old, provided that the OFW dependent remain single.
Benefits
Under the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP), active OWWA member OFWs and their eligible dependents can receive financial assistance amounting to up to Php 14,500.00 per course leading to completion of one- to two-year technical-vocational training. They are entitled to Php 7,250.00 of financial assistance should they opt to go for a six-month vocational course instead. Whether it’s a tech-voc course or a vocational one, the scholarship grant will be issued directly to the training institution—be it a school accredited by TESDA, MARINA, or other government training institutions—where the applicant or dependent is enrolled.
Note that among the benefits that this program offers include extended availability to both OFW members and their dependents. Having said that, OWWA has made the scholarship program available to both their OFW members and their qualified dependents up until six (6) months after their OWWA membership coverage has expired. OWWA has also adjusted the dependent-availability age limit, raising the dependent age limit from twenty-one (21) to twenty-four (24) years old, if the OFW dependent is single.
SESP Qualifications
The OWWA SESP is a short training course scholarship program designed specifically for active OWWA members who satisfy the following conditions:
- vacationing OFWs (land-based or sea-based)
- Overseas Filipino workers who finished their contracts but are still active members of OWWA
- OWWA members whose membership has expired for not more than six (6) months
Along with the OFWs, the following OFW dependents are also eligible to avail of the benefits of the SESP:
- Spouse of an OFW
- Unmarried OFW children who not older than 24 years old
- Unmarried Brothers or sisters (of an unmarried OFW) who are not older than 24 years old
On top of the basic qualifications listed above, the SESP has a few other qualifying criteria that applicants must satisfy. Whether it’s the OFW or their dependents, those who are interested in the privileges offered by OWWA under the SESP program must:
- Pass the TESDA qualifying examination or the Multiple Aptitude Battery Test (MABT) on their program of choice
- For OFWs: Have at least one (1) recorded membership contribution
- For OFW children: Children of OFWs who are not older than 24 years old
- Spouse of a married OFW
- For OFW siblings: Brother/sister of an active unmarried OWWA member who are not older than 24 years old
- Three (3) additional membership contributions are required for subsequent availment of the OWWA SESP.
- After course completion, applicants must submit for competency assessment and certification administered by TESDA or any of its accredited testing centers.
SESP Requirements
If you are qualified and are still interested in the benefits and privileges of being an OWWA SESP scholar, then you will need to submit the following documents for evaluation:
- Accomplished application forms (2 sets)
- 1″x1″ ID pictures (2 copies)
- Proof of High School completion
- Official copy of grades
- Form 137
- HS Report Card
- Transcript of Records
- Proof of OWWA Membership
- Official receipt of OWWA contribution
- OFW E-Card
- Photocopy of OFWs Passport
- At least two (2) valid Government-Issued or Company-Issued IDs
- For qualified OFW dependents: Proof of applicant’s relationship with the OWWA OFW – member
- Birth certificate of the applicant, for OFWs child
- Birth certificate of the applicant and OFW, for OFWs sibling
- Marriage certificate, for OFWs spouse
- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), if the OFW is single
- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
Guide to Applying for Skills for Employment Scholarship Program from OWWA
Here’s the complete step-by-step guide in applying for the benefits and privileges of the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP):
- Secure or download the SESP scholarship application form through either of the following:
- By contacting the local OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) to get the form online or via email, or
- By visiting the nearest OWWA Regional Office (RWO) to you and personally securing the form.
- Complete all the information required in the OWWA SESP Application Form.
- After completing the Application Form above, attach all documentary requirements listed above.
- Bring the SESP application form and documentary requirements and submit at your nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) or online. You may also send the Application Form and all the other required documentation via courier services (LBC, J&T, JRS, etc.). You may also visit the OWWA RWO personally by following these steps:
- Secure an appointment to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office by:
- Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA website (appointment.owwa.gov.ph).
- Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA Mobile App.
- On the day of the preferred date of appointment, go to the selected OWWA RWO that is closest to the OFW-member’s permanent address.
- Secure a queuing number and wait for your turn at the assigned guard or the Registration Desk at OWWA RWO (1 minute).
- Present the ID or the passport of the OWWA-member OFW along with the application form and all the other documentary requirements to the processor or evaluator at the Education and Training Unit or focal for verification of Membership Record.
- Wait for the focal on the Education and Training Unit to verify the OWWA membership of the OFW and evaluate the submitted requirements (10 minutes).
- If the membership is proven to be valid, then you may submit the accomplished application form and the rest of the requirements to get your schedule for claiming the Notice Of Award (NOA).
- If the application was sent online, wait for the results confirming that your application for the SESP scholarship was approved.
- Once approved, you will receive the schedule for the issuance of the Notice of Award.
- Return on the given schedule for the issuance of Notice of Award.
- Get a Priority Queuing Number and wait until your number is called to claim your NOA (30 seconds).
- Proceed to Counter 1 to receive the Notice of Award (NOA) (5 minutes).
Important Reminders
Before you start on your quest to avail of the benefits and privileges of OWWA’s Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP), here are some important things you need to know about it first:
- For applicants from the National Capital Region (NCR), the OWWA SESP Notice of Awards (NOA) can be claimed within two (2) days (2 working days) after the submission of the application form and the complete documentary requirements.
- Applicants from all the other regions may claim their Notice of Awards (NOA) within seven (7) days (7 working days) after submitting the completed requirements so the OWWA Office will have enough time for the verification process in the regional offices near the OFW’s permanent address.
- Filling of applications for the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) can be done Mondays through Fridays, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Applications with incomplete documentary requirements will affect the length and time of SESP approval, acceptance, or review of the application.
- All applications are subject for review, further verification, and approval, which may be affected by the veracity and completeness of the submitted documentary requirements.
- The benefits of the SESP Scholarships are awarded directly to the institution where the applicant will take the technical-vocational training course.
- OFWs can still enjoy the SESP privileges for up to six months after their OWWA membership has expired.
- The dependent age limit for the SESP availment has been increased, from 21 years old to 24 years old.
Understanding SESP: Everything you need to know
If you need to learn more about what the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) is all about or how to apply for and enjoy the benefits of the program,then you’d want to watch this video released by OWWA via their official Youtube account:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here, we answered some of the most common questions people ask about the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) so you won’t have to do it anymore.
1. What is the OWWA SESP Scholarship?
The Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) is a scholarship program offered by OWWA to active member OFWs and their qualified dependents so they can enroll and complete a six-month to two-year technical-vocational course of their choice in any TESDA-, MARINA-, or other government-accredited institution.
2. How much is the SESP scholarship grant?
The SESP scholarship grant offers active OWWA members and their beneficiaries a one-time educational assistance amounting to Php 7,250.00 for a six-month vocational course or up to Php 14,500.00 for a one- to two-year technical course. The SESP benefit, once awarded, will be disbursed directly to the institution where the applicant will complete his/her tech-voc studies. The balance, if there’s any, will be shouldered by the applicant, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Scholarship Agreement.
3. My spouse and I are not married. Can our child avail of the benefits of the SESP scholarship?
Yes, as long as the applicant can provide the complete documentary requirements, especially those that will prove their relationship to the OWWA member OFW.
4. Where can I avail this OWWA SESP scholarship?
Just like the ODSP and the EDSP, the SESP can also be applied online, via email, or by visiting the nearest OWWA Regional/Satellite Welfare Office. There aren’t any option to apply online via the website but interested applicants may visit the OWWA website at www.owwa.gov.ph or download the OWWA Mobile App to schedule an appointment to the nearest OWWA RWO.
5. How can I get the SESP application form?
The SESP application form can be downloaded online if you email OWWA, or you may get it by personally visiting any OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) near you.
6. Can my brother or sister apply for the SESP scholarship grant?
Yes. If you are an unmarried active OWWA member and you can prove the relationship between you and your siblings with any of the documents required by OWWA, then your sibling can be considered a qualified beneficiary eligible to enjoy the benefits of the SESP scholarship grant.
7. Can I use the SESP scholarship to earn a college degree?
Though it is useful if you want to take and complete more skills and training programs to improve your livelihood projects and self-development, the SESP scholarship only covers studies leading to the completion of a technical or vocational course. If you are looking for an OWWA scholarship that will help in paying to complete a four- or five-year degree in college or universities, then you’d want to look at either EDSP or ODSP instead.
8. Where can I learn more about the SESP scholarship project?
Though you may check about the SESP program and application procedures online, it is always best to visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) or the local OWWA office near you to learn about the specifics of the SESP program or find other specific scholarship grants available in the region. You may also reach out to OWWA through the following contact information:
Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA)
Office Address: F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: 8891-7601 to 24
OWWA hotline number: 1348, (02) 1348 (Regional), (+632) 1348 (International)
OWWA Email Address: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph
OWWA Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
OWWA website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
Another option would be to check with the OWWA scholars and beneficiaries via their Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/ProudOWWAscholars/) for more information on all the available OWWA services and benefits.
Summary
So, we highlighted everything you need to know about OWWA’s Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)—from the benefits to the requirements, qualifications, and application process—should you be interested in availing this scholarship program. We hope that you will find this guide helpful as you take advantage of the projects that OWWA has in place for the benefit of the OFW members.
Plus, there really isn’t anything wrong about upgrading your skills as you can always use the learnings from these skills and training programs to be successful. You can also use this chance to take free lessons in preparation for your future work abroad or for your possible future livelihood projects such as businesses or even simply for self-development or personal improvement.
After all, it is never too late to learn something new as it will be useful when you try to move forward with your skills and training. Plus, who wouldn’t be interested in upskilling for free when it’s available and waiting to be taken advantage of? We encourage you to apply for the SESP scholarship program today!