Many Pinays opt to work abroad as household service workers or HSWs with the dream of earning better for their loved ones left behind. But aside from the strenuous overseas job hunting and application, an aspiring HSW must also attend  a training program given by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA. Only upon completion of the training will then an aspiring HSW be given an NCII certificate which is one of the documents needed to be able to work abroad.

The HSW NCII or National Certificate is the proof that the applicant has passed the competency assessment which evaluates the capability to perform the work of a

household service worker according to the employer’s requirements.

To obtain an NCII, the aspiring HSW must follow these steps:

1. Get an endorsement letter from the recruitment agency to be presented to the accredited TESDA assessment center.

2. You will then be asked to perform the basic jobs of an HSW - cleaning the living room, dining room, bedrooms, toilet and kitchen; washing and ironing clothes, linen and fabric; and, providing food and beverage.This is the performance assessment wherein you have to prove that you know how to do the job of a HSW.

3. If the applicant is a former HSW, there is no need to take the competency assessment. Just submit all evidences of previous employment like work contract, certification from employers and recruitment agencies etc.

4. The assessor will evaluate these documents known as portfolio assessment so an applicant don’t need to undergo the performance assessment anymore.

5. Pay the assessment fee of P1,000 to the accredited TESDA assessment center. Don’t forget to ask for an official receipt as proof of your payment.

6. If the applicant fail the assessment, a re-assessment can be done but another payment has to be made.

7. But if the applicant passed the assessment, she will be recommended to receive the certification.

8. A certification fee of P100 should be paid to the TESDA office which has jurisdiction on the assessment center you chose.

9. You will then be given an official receipt and a National Certificate (NCII) for HSW as proof that you are a competent household service worker. The National Certificate (NCII) is valid for five (5) years.

10. The NCII will be presented to POEA together with your work contract so you can be issued with an Overseas Employment Certificate or OEC before you can leave the country for your job abroad.

For more information, call TESDA at hotline number (02) 887-7777. Or visit the nearest TESDA office or log on to www.tesda.gov.ph