WE CAN choose to plan on a daily basis since almost nothing today is certain in the midst of the pandemic, or we can build solutions that will help us create the future to have some degree of certainty. Such as how we continue molding the minds of our workforce to face the so-called new normal of work, to ensure that the Philippines eventually develop a knowledge-based economy, despite its current realities.
This has been my passion and advocacy even before the pandemic since I have dealt firsthand with employers’ and investors’ requirements for manpower and the glaring mismatch of our talent pool skills. It is frustrating to see how there are millions of jobs and opportunities that are available and how there are also millions of Filipinos who are searching for jobs.
One notable development is the latest circular of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) which supports the operationalization of the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP) 2018-2022 and addresses the recommendations in the TVET (technical vocation education and training) sector.
Tesda, in Memorandum Circular 042 Series of 2021, cites its mandate to provide relevant, accessible, high quality, and efficient technical education and skills development in support of the development of high-quality Filipino middle-level workforce responsive to and in accordance with Philippine development goals and priorities. To address this mandate, it shall adopt the area-based and demand-driven TVET approach. This approach is responsive to the critical needs defined by the industries and employers to produce correctly skilled workers in a specific area or locality.
The TVET sector needs to respond to the rapidly changing needs of the labor market, in particular, and the economy in general, therefore, a “one-size fits all approach” may not be applicable and appropriate, considering the varying geographical characteristics and industrial layout of the regions and provinces. Although there are commonalities in the industries’ needs, there will be variations from one region to another.
An area-based skills map is the compilation of the skills requirements culled from different references and mapping of the availability of TVET programs vis-à-vis the industry requirements in the areas which also includes emerging skills and soft skills requirements.
Under the circular, Tesda now recognizes new and emerging competencies which refer to knowledge, skills and attitudes required by new and emerging technologies or enterprises in the industry without Tesda-promulgated Training Regulation (TR), as determined and recommended by local and international industry bodies and association resulting from local and international, research and studies, authenticated labor market information and publications, among others, that have current or forecasted employment opportunities.
Another milestone is the requirement to create an Industry Board (IB), which is a quadripartite body composed of representatives from the government, industry associations within the sector, academe and labor sector representatives established in priority industries to provide assistance in the establishment of manpower development schemes, trade and skills standards and other functions as well as provide for the direct participation of employers and workers in the fulfillment of Tesda’s objectives.
Last year, under the Office of Senator Sonny Angara, as part of his Digital Transformation Policy Team, we sent official communications to Tesda to comment on a proposed bill entitled Quality Apprenticeships, which defines strategies for the Filipino apprentice to experience industry immersive and relevant skills training. I am glad that even prior to the submission of this bill for Senate deliberations, Tesda had come up with a circular defining important concepts such certifications and competencies. In the meantime, we laud all the ongoing initiatives of the other departments in helping upskill our manpower.
On the local front, as part of the celebration of the National MSMEs Month 2021 this July, the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT), Inc. in cooperation with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Trade and Industry is organizing a second Bacolod City and Negros Occidental Virtual ICT Series dubbed as “Digital Skills Plus Digital Platforms Equals Digital Business” on July 27. Our last forum was held on June 29 with DTI Assistant Secretary Jean Pacheco discussing digital entrepreneurship and Jomari Mercado sharing points about the DICT Digital Cities Program.
The upcoming forum is an opportunity for participants to learn about the importance of digital skills to thrive in the digital economy and the trends on, demand for, and nature of digital skills in the 21st century especially amidst the so-called New Normal, understand top skills and platforms required to start or sustain a business or enterprise; and listen to the experiences and insights of our speakers in collaborating with various stakeholders in order to build a dynamic local digital ecosystem. I encourage local freelancers, innovators and innovation influencers and decision-makers to join the event.