Manila Bulletin – DepEd pushes TVET, stronger school-to-work alignment at ASEAN meet to boost Filipino workforce
The Philippines is intensifying efforts to align its education system with the demands of the job market, a move highlighted during the 16th ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework Committee (AQRFC) Meeting. The Department of Education (DepEd) championed reforms aimed at strengthening technical-vocational education and training (TVET) and ensuring learning is relevant to workforce needs at the regional gathering, which focused on harmonizing qualification systems across Southeast Asia.
Connecting Education to Employment
The Philippine Qualifications Framework
Central to the Philippines’ strategy is the updated Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF). This national system is designed to create a cohesive structure linking basic education, technical-vocational training, higher education, and employment. The revised PQF now features eight qualification levels aligned with the ASEAN regional reference framework, facilitating recognition of Filipino credentials internationally.
New Pathways for Learners
Senior High School (SHS) graduates are now mapped at Level 3 within the PQF. The framework also formally integrates micro-credentials – short, skills-focused certifications – offering learners flexible pathways to gain skills, change careers, or upgrade their expertise. Clearer pathways have been established for transitions between vocational training and college education.
Collaboration and National Plans
Working with Key Agencies
DepEd recognizes that educational reforms alone are insufficient. Closer collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is considered critical to address job-skills mismatches. Priorities include expanding enterprise-based training, strengthening industry-led upskilling programs, and developing a unified labor market information system.
Broader Education Reforms
The ASEAN meeting coincides with broader national efforts to modernize education and workforce development. These include the turnover of the Second Congressional Commission on Education’s (EDCOM 2) final report and the launch of the National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan) 2026–2035 to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Legislation such as the Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act of 2025 and policies supporting recognition of prior learning and distance education are also under consideration.
The Road Ahead
According to DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, the country’s long-term competitiveness hinges on the connection between education and employment opportunities. He emphasized that sustained implementation and coordination are now the primary challenges, requiring aligned budgets, incentives, and accountability for learning outcomes. A possible next step could involve increased investment in industry-led training programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Philippine Qualifications Framework?
The PQF is a national system designed to link basic education, technical-vocational training, higher education, and employment into one coherent structure.
Which agencies are involved in addressing job-skills mismatches?
The Department of Education (DepEd), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are all involved.
What is the National Education and Workforce Development Plan?
The NatPlan 2026–2035 is a plan launched to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. To accelerate sweeping reforms to modernize education and workforce development.
As the Philippines works to create a future-ready workforce, how might these reforms impact the opportunities available to students and workers in the years to come?