The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was established through Republic Act No. 7796, otherwise known as the "Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994", signed into law on 25 August 1994. The law unified the country's fragmented technical-vocational education and training system by integrating the functions of the former National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC), the Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education (BTVE) of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), and the apprenticeship program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) into a single authority.

Republic Act No. 7796 declares it the policy of the State to provide relevant, accessible, high-quality, and efficient technical education and skills development that supports national development and produces a globally competitive Filipino middle-level manpower. It also recognizes the vital role of industry and the private sector as active partners in developing a skilled and productive labor force.

The law established TESDA as the government's lead agency for technical education and skills development, with the following objectives:

Since its establishment in 1994, TESDA has led the country's technical-vocational education and training (TVET) system by developing competency standards, implementing skills training programs, assessing and certifying workers, and fostering strong partnerships with industry and other stakeholders. Through these initiatives, TESDA continues to fulfill its mandate of producing a globally competitive, skilled, and adaptable Filipino workforce that contributes to national development.

The transformational leader in the technical education and skills development of the Filipino workforce.

TESDA sets direction, promulgates relevant standards, and implements programs geared towards a quality-assured and inclusive technical education and skills development and certification system.

In August 2024, Jose Francisco "Kiko" B. Benitez was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the director general of the TESDA, succeeding Suharto Mangudadatu with a rank of Secretary.

His appointment was seen as a significant move given his strong background in education, including his service as a commissioner for the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOMM II).

TESDA welcomed Benitez's appointment, citing his experience and advocacy for addressing challenges such as skills-job mismatch and unemployment in the technical vocational education and training (TVET) sector.

Upon assumption as TESDA's Secretary / Director General, he outlined the TESDABest 8-Point Agenda, as follows:

The TESDABest 8-Point Agenda provides the strategic direction for its programs and initiatives reinforcing its mandate to develop a world class, highly skilled, adaptable and globally competitive Filipino workforce.