Harmonizing technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs and ensuring the ease of flow of potential workers in Southeast Asian (SEA) countries are among the key challenges facing the country as a result of economic integration.

TVET leaders and institutions discussed these and other related issues when they gathered at the Southeast Asian Minister of Education, Organization, Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO Innotech) facilities in Quezon City last May 3 to 4 for the Country-Level Workshop on Philippines’ SEA-TVET Harmonization and Mobility.

TESDA Director General Irene Isaac said one of the highlights of the workshop was the identification of a plan of action related to pilot student and teacher/instructor/trainer exchanges and other collaborative activities on priority industry areas of the country such as hospitality and tourism, agriculture and fisheries, electronics/mechatronics, and manufacturing. TESDA also hopes to come up with programs on providing a networking platform among TVET institutions and TVET partners, and capacity-building support to officials and institutions, Isaac said.

A Framework of Cooperation among TVET institutions and their participation in the SEA-TVET Consortium was signed at the end of the workshop which was hosted by TESDA and the Department of Education together with the SEAMEO and Asian Development Bank.