Manila: Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez on Wednesday announced that enterprise-based education and training (EBET) stands as the agency’s most effective training modality. Addressing a gathering of executives and members of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Benitez highlighted that graduates of EBET programs boast an impressive 85.48 percent employment rate.
According to Philippines News Agency, Benitez emphasized the importance of industry partnerships in the EBET framework, urging a collaborative effort to integrate workplace learning with classroom education. By partnering with employers, EBET not only educates enrollees about the work but also allows them to gain hands-on experience. Benitez revealed that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has introduced Revenue Regulations No. 13-2025, consolidating guidelines to simplify accessing tax incentives under the EBET framework. Enterprises investing in training programs can currently deduct up to 50 percent of their training expenses from taxes, with plans to increase this to 75 percent.
Benitez projected a future where skills, rather than titles or degrees, would drive the country’s progress. He noted that 40 to 43 percent of TESDA enrollees are college graduates seeking additional skills, often to enhance their prospects for working abroad. Highlighting the changing demands of the global job market, Benitez stressed the need for a workforce equipped with the right skills to match rapid industry changes.
He assured that TESDA’s programs are designed to deliver up-to-date training, ensuring the workforce is prepared for industry demands. Benitez remarked, “We know that skills are the currency of today’s workplace, and they are bound to carry far greater value as the job market continues to evolve.”
As a former lawmaker, Benitez co-authored the EBET Framework Act, which seeks to strengthen the country’s workforce through enhanced skills training and improved employability. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the EBET Framework Act, signed earlier this year, aim to bridge the gap between education and industry.
