The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) are now working closely together to address underemployment and the jobs-skills mismatch affecting Filipino learners.
During the recent launch of Unilab Education (UniEd), the education pillar of the Unilab Group, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez, and CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis discussed why many learners – whether from senior high school, vocational institutes, or higher educational institutions – struggle to find jobs relevant to their qualifications. They noted that the mismatch problem affects low-skilled and specialized workforce, in both the private and public sectors.
The three leaders affirmed their commitment to creating seamless career pathways from school to work, in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directives that education must lead to rewarding jobs.
Angara explained that DepEd’s Strengthened Senior High School Curriculum now offers clearer career paths aligned with TESDA programs, industry demands, and international standards. He stressed that integrating technical-vocational education into senior high school ensures that graduates have market-relevant skills and recognized certifications.
Benitez said the education system has been “re-energized” through stronger inter-agency communication, the implementation of landmark education laws based on recommendations from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), and closer ties with industry. TESDA is introducing major reforms, including the Adopt, Adapt Program, which certifies industry-designed training plans; industry-based accreditation and assessment that recognizes industry partner-issued certifications; and a micro-credentialing system for selected skills programs.
Agrupis highlighted that one of her first steps as CHED chair was to strengthen collaboration with TESDA, DepEd, DOLE, and industry partners. CHED is crafting a human capital strategy to match labor market demand with educational supply, guided by labor data from DOLE and EDCOM II’s findings. This includes aligning CHED’s micro-credentials with TESDA standards.
The three education leaders presented these initiatives in response to Dr. Cielito Habito, former NEDA Secretary and Chair of EDCOM 2’s Governance and Finance Standing Committee, who spoke on “Towards a People-Powered Philippine Future: Finding Our Way Out of Our Jobs-Skills Mismatch.”
Attended by over 200 government, academe, and business representatives, the UniEd launch had the theme “Building Career Pathways, Shaping the Workforce Together.” DepEd, TESDA, and CHED welcomed UniEd’s entry into the education sector and look forward to further collaborations.