23rd HRSD conference discusses, reviews future of TVET in PH

CEBU CITY – The just concluded two-day 23^rd Human Resource and Skills Development (HRSD) conference in Cebu on November 25-26 organized by the Mindanao Technical- Vocational Association (MinTVET) discussed and reviewed the future of the Technical-Vocational Training (TVET) system of the Philippines in the areas of creativity and innovation, industry linkages and partnerships, upgrading and upskilling of trainers, employability and entrepreneurship skills of TVET graduates, with nearly 600 delegates and participants from the country’s TVET sector in attendance.

“There is a need to strengthen partnerships with industry to improve the appreciation and scale of the dual training system in the Philippines and to engage more TVET institutions with industry partners to increase the local recognition and acceptance of skills-based certifications," Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General, Jose Francisco Benitez told the Cebu media in a press briefing minutes before the opening of the 23^rd HRSD conference.

The recent signing of the TVET law has emphasized the importance of enterprise-based training, which already holds a significant share in national technical education and is poised to grow further. The Philippines' dual training system, modeled after Germany's, needs to be more widely appreciated by local businesses, Benetiz said.

“I’ve been in this post for nearly three months, tasked with maintaining and potentially increasing high employment rates as part of the president's directive to support economic growth. TVET institutions, represented at this conference, are encouraged to engage with industry partners to promote the value of skills-based certification, which is more internationally recognized than locally,” Benetiz added.

The 23^rd HRSD conference’s significance

Dr. John Thomas Franco, President, MinTVET bared that the 23^rd HRSD conference gathered all public and private TVET stakeholders including providers, industry and government and allied sectors to ignite actions and to review policies and practices for the TVET in the future for it to be relevant and beneficial to the youths in this country.

“It is for this reason that this conference is collaboratively hosted by the Unified TVET of the Philippines, Inc. (UniTVET), Visayas TVET Association (VisTVET), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PACE) carrying the theme, RACE for the Future of TVET: Resilience. Adaptability. Creativity. Engagement in TVET,” Franco shared.

MinTVET wanted to bring a new brand of conference that would provide meaning and impact on how the TVET sector must prepare for the skills of the future.  With about 20 speakers and resource persons for the two-day conference, Franco said that the TVET sector expected significant review and new insights and inputs to push for a more flexible, innovative, and sustainable TVET in the Philippines.

One of the highlights of the conference was a two-hour session dubbed as “Conversations with TESDA” specifically with the Certification Office and the Quality and Standards Office that discussed significantly the areas affecting TVET providers and program implementers.  Here, the participants were given time to ask questions, clarifications on the issues on training certifications and standards.

Role of TESDA in promoting, sustaining TVET as employment driver in PH

In DG Benitez’ keynote address, he highlighted TESDA’s 8-Point Agenda to support and push for the inclusive access of TVET as the contributing driver to the economic growth of the country through employment rate sustainability.

 

Benetiz acknowledged the complexity of the task, noting that it involves aligning various moving parts, including accessibility to TVET, behavior and mindset change, competency standards for training for new and higher-level qualifications, demand-driven and data-driven TVET, employment outcomes, flexible learning and facilities, global competitiveness and good housekeeping and to harmonize TVET with senior high curriculum, with higher education and lifelong learning pathways.

The Conference has noted the importance of the TVET law that was signed by the president about two and a half weeks ago and highlighted enterprise-based training, which has one of the highest employment rates, as a key component in TVET.

“Enterprise-based training's share has grown from around 4% to 8-9% in recent national technical education plans. A stronger partnership with industry is required to support the dual training system in the Philippines. The need for industry, specifically businesses and companies, to value skills and technical vocational education is crucial,” Benetiz noted.

TESDA also pointed out the importance of TVET institutions engaging with industry partners, the goal is to increase local appreciation for skills-based certification, which is more valued internationally. 

TVET schools at the conference were highlighted as key proponents and marketers of skills-based training. The speakers underscored the need for businesses to recognize the global value of skills-based training.(Photos: MBCNewman)