CEBU CITY – Sustainability, digital skill transformation, AI and the creative industry as major components of the Technical-Vocational Training (TVET) system in the future was the focus of discussion at the plenary during the 23rd Human Resource and Skills Development (HRSD) Conference on November 25-26, at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel attended by nearly 600 delegates and participants from the country’s TVET sector.
Benetiz and his TESDA team said that the goal is to design industry-driven communications, competency standards, and assessments with stronger collaboration with industry partners as crucial for efficient certification and quality assurance, which is necessary for state funding.
The mechanisms are still in development, TESDA said and the initiative aims to support economic transition through scholarships and subsidies. The action items then must include the engagement with industry partners and associations to ensure efficient certification and quality assurance processes and the provision of scholarships and subsidies to economically trigger the transitions to digitalization and sustainability.
The discussion delved on the dual transition involving sustainability and AI, which is essential for all industries, including digital sectors. The digital industries are identified as priority sectors for these transitions due to their rapid change and evolving needs, Benetiz said.
Benetiz mentioned the importance of collaboration with industry partners, boards, and associations to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of these transitions. He also outlined the types of training regulations TESDA is preparing, including cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing with AI, and renewable energy.
Training and Certification for Digital Transition Fields
The discussion included the advent of electric vehicles, semiconductor training, and solar energy as part of the dual transitions while the mechanisms for these transitions have been developed, with plans to experiment and refine them for efficiency, Benetiz bared.
TESDA is currently reaching out to industry partners to ensure the processes of certification and quality assurance are fast and effective and stressed the importance of scholarships and subsidies to support the economic transition driven by these changes.
The need for proper quality assurance and certification processes are imperative for state funding to these programs because the role of scholarships and subsidies are very crucial in triggering the economic transition, Benetiz said, adding the importance of industry collaboration and the efficient use of mechanisms to drive these transitions forward.
“During the first year of COVID, only one out of four businesses were willing to hire senior high school graduates. However, industry willingness has since increased to two to three out of four businesses. This shift is attributed to the importance of verified, certified skills that can replace traditional qualifications,” Benetiz bared.
TESDA adapted to the situation by providing the necessary industry-aligned certifications. An industry-driven approach to training is emphasized, as it allows for faster adaptation to industry needs and bridges the job skills mismatch. This concept aligns with TESDA’s historical dual training system, which was part of its founding 30 years ago.
TESDA has taken these actions to ensure that the industry-recognized certifications and skills that industry partners are looking for are readily available; develop an industry-driven approach to training and certification programs, where industry partners directly inform the curriculum; and leverage the existing apprenticeship program model that was part of TESDA’s original vision 30 years ago.
Industries’ willingness to hire high school graduates
According to Benetiz, a survey of industry partners conducted during the first year of COVID, revealed that only one out of four businesses was willing to hire senior high school graduates. By the end of the first year, industry partners became more willing, with two to three out of four now willing to hire senior high school graduates for certain roles.
By simply discussing the issue and reaching a common understanding can lead to significant changes in industry behavior. The shift in industry willingness, according to Benetiz was attributed to the importance of verified, certified skills that can replace traditional qualifications.
TESDA’s role in acceptance of skills-based learning or competency-based certification must be readily available to provide the necessary certifications that the industry requires and to align with industry demands to bridge the job skills mismatch.
Benetiz stressed the importance of making the certification process industry-driven to ensure faster adaptation and better alignment with industry needs. Industry-driven certification and training including faster adaptation to industry needs and bridging the job skills gap are beneficial to the TVET system.
TESDA outlined the benefits of an industry-driver certification system saying that dual training system must involve both industry and educational institutions,
The role of local government units (LGUs) to align labor markets
The discussion led to the importance of area-based, demand-driven approaches to skills prioritization and training within local government units (LGUs) emphasizing the need for collaboration with LGUs to align labor market intelligence with skills prioritization, ensuring that training is both employment-driven and part of a lifelong learning framework.
It also highlighted the devolution of education and training functions to LGUs and the necessity of harmonizing education pathways to facilitate seamless transitions between formal education, employment, and retraining without loss of qualifications.
“The goal is to create career progression pathways that are aligned with the local economy and the needs of employees. Identify and engage the necessary industry partners for collaboration; conduct labor market intelligence and skills prioritization in coordination with the LGUs,” Benetiz stated.
The convergence and alignment between the LGUs and the education/training system to constantly upskill and reskill employees must be ensured and there must be harmony in the education system, from basic to higher education, to align with the skills-based approach and employment-driven pathways, he added.
Area-based and demand-driven approach need for collaboration with LGUs to ensure effective implementation and alignment with the local economy. Labor market intelligence and skills prioritization are crucial for the success of the initiative.
The conference also discussed the significance of prioritizing necessary skills and conducting thorough assessments; the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling of employees within the LGUs and the importance of aligning skills development with the local economy's needs.
The discussion also focused on the role of education and training in the broader context of lifelong learning that there is a need for harmonizing education and training pathways from early education to higher levels.
“The goal is to create seamless pathways for learners to transition between formal education, work, and back to education without losing certifications and making these pathways as employment-driven as possible while also considering lifelong learning,” Benetiz concluded by saying it is important to align these pathways with the broader goals of training and education. (Photos: MBCNewman)
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