February 10, 2025
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has forged a partnership with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to strengthen workforce development through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Pasay City.
Last January 22, TESDA Director General, Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez signed an MOU with PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga for the implementation of skills training and job matching for workers held at the PEZA Head Office.
The said partnership aims to establish cooperation in implementing skills training, job matching for workers, including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and related activities promoting the TESDA and PEZA programs.
Additionally, the partnership will oversee the registration and implementation of enterprise-based training (EBT) programs, such as those utilizing the Dual Training System training modality and Apprenticeship program, which provide workers with hands-on and industry-relevant skills.
The MOU will strengthen workforce alignment by facilitating skills and job matching for local workers and OFWs, supported by developing a job-matching system with key partners. It will also promote industry immersion programs for TESDA trainers in PEZA-registered companies, allowing them to gain practical knowledge of industry standards.
As part of the partnership, officials from TESDA and PEZA held a roundtable discussion in the PEZA boardroom to engage in an in-depth dialogue on strategies to enhance workforce skills. The discussion focused on aligning training programs with the needs of industries within economic zones and improving training delivery under the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) framework.
In his remarks, Secretary Benitez highlighted the importance of bridging the job-skills gap through collaborative efforts and emphasized the agency’s commitment to workforce development, highlighting the importance of collaboration in attaining shared goals.
"TESDA is committed to continuously developing training regulations and competency standards, creating more specialized programs, and providing more scholarships to help our workers meet the demands of the 21st century. To achieve this, we need the support of PEZA, government agencies, and the private sector,” the secretary said.
Meanwhile, for his part, DG Panga shared that the partnership will ensure that skills training programs are not just accessible but also aligned with market demands, addressing the pressing needs for job readiness and placement.
“By combining our expertise and resources, we take meaningful steps toward making the Philippines not just an attractive investment destination but also a hub of opportunity for highly skilled and empowered Filipino workers,” the official said.
Also present during the signing ceremony were TESDA Deputy Directors General Vidal D. Villanueva III, Nelly Nita N. Dillera, and Felizardo R. Colambo, as well as PEZA Deputy Directors General Maria Veronica F. Magsino and Anidelle Joy M. Alguso.
Share this page
