STEP is a community-based specialty training program that addresses the specific skills needs of the communities and promote employment, particularly through entrepreneurial, self-employment and service-oriented activities. Training programs offered are generally short-term or modules based on the Training Regulations promulgated by TESDA. Its objective is to provide skills and training opportunities for the beneficiaries in the barangays/ communities to make them employable and productive.
Both public and private techvoc providers, but mostly local government training centers and TESDA Technology Institutions, deliver the training programs under STEP.
The beneficiaries of STEP receive the following assistance: free training and competency assessment, starter toolkits and training allowance of sixty pesos (Php 60.00) per day for the duration of the training.
The program was introduced only in 2014 in line with thrust of expanding the reach of TVET to the grassroots.
