Tech-Voc programs shift to data-driven curriculum

Senior High School technical-vocational programs in the Philippines will transition to a data-driven curriculum to better align with industry demands, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced Thursday.

The announcement followed the National Tech-Voc Summit held Wednesday in Quezon City, where education leaders and industry partners discussed strategies for enhancing workforce readiness.

Education Assistant Secretary Janir Datukan said the shift aims to make learning more responsive to economic and labor market changes.

“Kung gusto nating may tunay na kinabukasan ang mga mag-aaral, kailangang nakabatay ang itinuturo natin sa aktuwal na pangangailangan ng industriya, ngayon at sa hinaharap,” he said.

DepEd Bureau of Curriculum Development Director Peter Marc Magsalin emphasized that close collaboration with industry stakeholders is critical for a successful transition.

“We must recognize that industry participation is the only way to strengthen the pipeline of school-to-work transition,” he said, adding that ongoing coordination will ensure students are better prepared for the workforce.

“By aligning our sectoral expertise with global labor trends, we ensure our curriculum remains responsive to the future of work,” Magsalin noted, while stressing the importance of transparency about current industry challenges.

“It is in being honest about the bottlenecks that we find our most innovative solutions,” he added.

At the summit, participants highlighted several key areas for action, including leveraging the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Law to scale workforce development, integrating private sector data into curriculum planning, expanding industry immersion opportunities, and benchmarking best practices.

Private sector representatives pointed out that automation, digitalization, and shifting global demand signal the need for faster curriculum adjustments. Once such data are available, DepEd can tailor programs and target investments in training to ensure SHS tech-voc graduates are prepared for productive employment rather than viewing technical skills as a “fallback option.”