Nine out of 10 workers who took the National TVET Competency Assessment and Certification (NATCAC) passed and awarded their National Certificate, Secretary Joel Villanueva announced. "This is a good mark to show that more skilled workers now realize the value of certification to affirm their competence," said Villanueva, Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). A total of 3,149 were assessed in 160 Assessment Centers nationwide on the opening day of the NATCAC on July 31. Of this, 2,762 or 88 percent passed the assessment. Industry partners in the National Capital Region (NCR)  also signed a Covenant of Support to manifest their commitment to send their workers for assessment and certification. TESDA organized the  NATCAC  as part of a series of assessment and certification that will be held simultaneously all over the country for the months of August and November this year. The assessment was open only to workers, trainers, Department of Education teachers, and returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The competency assessment is offered free under TESDA's Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP). "Awareness of the level of their competency will give the workers the confidence and assurance that their skills are at par with industry standards," Villanueva said. "Those who will not pass will see where the skills gaps are, and employers may have them retrained so that they would be better workers," he added. The NCR had the most number of certified workers with 707, followed by Region IVA or CaLaBaRZon with 433,  and Region VIII or Eastern Visayas with 299.  Driving, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Food and Beverage Services, Computer Systems Servicing, Cookery, Housekeeping and Carpentry were among the in demand areas for assessment. END