December 28, 2024
Expect more innovative and relevant technical vocational education and training (TVET) in 2025 as the Technical Education and Skills Development commits to continued improvements in its programs and services to help spur economic growth in the country.
Under the leadership of Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez, TESDA continues to realign TVET programs to meet the evolving demands of the labor market, adapting to economic shifts and technological advancements. Filipino workers remain competitive both locally and globally as TESDA prioritizes industry partnerships and introducing forward-thinking curricula.
“TESDABest” 8-Point Agenda
Upon his assumption, Secretary Benitez laid out his eight-point “TESDABest” plan for the agency which includes: Access to TVET; Behavior and Mindset Change; Competency Standards and TRs for New and Higher-Level Qualifications; Demand-Driven and Data-Driven TVET; Employment Outcomes; Flexible Learning, and Facilities; Global Competitiveness, and Good Housekeeping; and, Harmonization with SHS Curriculum, Ladderization with Higher Education, and Lifelong Learning Pathways.
“The Eight-Point Agenda that I presented to the President is about innovating and transforming our TVET system to become TESDABest. It is about rationalizing TVET programming, optimizing TVET delivery, and maximizing our impact. And ultimately, it is about unlocking the potential of the Filipino to perform the jobs required and demanded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” the Secretary said in an statement last September.
Increased TVET output
From January to December 2024, a total of 1,375,627 students enrolled in training programs reaching 1,255,674 graduates across all delivery modes. Further, 1,151,595 tech-voc graduates applied for assessment where 1,081,375 were certified as skilled workers.
Also, in 2024, TESDA promulgated 22 new Training Regulations (TRs) and developed 15 Competency Standards (CS) to ensure that the agency supports the human resource development of the country. TESDA, likewise, has recognized a total of 617 Diploma programs.
Meanwhile, the agency unveiled its improved TESDA Online Program (TOP) and successfully completed the migration of its TOP servers under the Department of Information and Communication Technology’s Amazon Web Services Cloud. The TOP now includes an AI-enabled technical support chatbot called “TOPE”.
As of November 30, the TOP has 178 online courses across different sectors and has clocked more than 5 million registered users since 2012.
Strengthening TVET in Senior High School
Last May 10, TESDA, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) signed two Joint Memorandum Circulars (JMC) to intensify the government’s commitment to improve the country’s education system and to better prepare Filipino graduates for work.
The first JMC, titled "Ensuring Quality-Assured Assessment for Certification of Senior High School Technical-Vocational Livelihood Track”, is spearheaded by the DepEd and TESDA to institutionalize mandatory assessment for Senior High School Technical-Vocational Livelihood (TVL) Track students.
The second JMC is a collaborative effort involving DepEd, TESDA, CHED, and DOLE. The initiative aims to embed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) into all SHS tracks to equip the youth with industry-relevant skills and knowledge that will significantly enhance the workforce readiness and employability of the SHS learners.
These enable the creation of multiple learning and career pathways through ladderization programs, allowing SHS graduates to seamlessly transition between academic and technical tracks.
Adapting TVET to meet labor market demands
On November 13, TESDA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) formalized their partnership through a joint memorandum circular and a data-sharing agreement aimed at enhancing skills training, career guidance, and employment support for Filipino workers.
The memorandum establishes a collaborative framework for aligning initiatives such as career counseling, soft skills training, technical-vocational education, and job-matching services via PhilJobNet and TESDA’s Registry of Certified Workers. This integration is designed to boost workforce readiness, address job-skills mismatches, and improve access to employment opportunities across the nation.
Additionally, TESDA welcomed the enactment of Republic Act No. 12063, also known as the “Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act.” This law promotes experiential and immersive learning opportunities, equipping workers with the skills demanded by industries and further addressing labor market challenges.
Continued partnership with stakeholders
More and more partnerships with government agencies and industries were secured in 2024, as these are crucial for enhancing skills training, promoting employment, and improving training infrastructure.
A total of 3,421 partnerships were forged by different TESDA operating units to ensure the provision of high-quality, efficient, accessible, and relevant technical education and skills development.
Among the notable partnerships TESDA forged in 2024 were with McDonald's Philippines, CybersCool Defcon, Inc., Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the China-Philippines Silk Road Foundation among others.
Strengthening Global Competitiveness
In early January, during her visit to the TESDA Complex in Taguig City, German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock engaged in a closed-door roundtable discussion with German stakeholders and Philippine government agencies.
Also, Deputy Directors General Rosanna A. Urdaneta and Vidal D. Villanueva III participated in Strengthening TVET through Global Partnership and Benchmarking activity in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
In May, top officials of TESDA attended a technology fair in Germany and visited the facilities of German automation company Festo to experience firsthand how cutting-edge automation technology that incorporates industry robotics and Industry 4.0 principles are utilized.
Further, from September 10-15, the Philippines, through TESDA, sent six skilled and certified youths to compete in different skill areas at the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France. Competitors Allen S. Gacweng for Cooking, Gwyneth Nicole I. Abarquez for Restaurant Service, and Kylle Brigette C. Dingding for Graphic Design Technology were each awarded the Medallion for Excellence for obtaining a score of at least 700 points during the competition in their respective skill areas. The Medallion for Excellence is granted to competitors whose performance meets the international standards based on the criteria set by WorldSkills International.
Last October, Secretary Benitez, accompanied by Deputy Director General Nelly Nelly Nita Dillera, participated in the 28th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting in Singapore. A few weeks later, Secretary Benitez headed the TESDA delegation at the International Technology Security and Innovation Government Leaders Forum, hosted by Arizona State University in the United States.
TESDA is set to build on this year’s accomplishments by rolling out more innovative programs and policies that address emerging trends and challenges. Secretary Benitez emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, innovation, and resilience as the agency’s guiding principles for the coming year.
“As TESDA concludes another successful year, we will remain steadfast in our mission to provide accessible, high-quality TVET programs that uplift lives and contribute to national development,” Secretary Benitez said.
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