Lipa: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has emphasized the necessity for a stronger alignment between educational programs and industry requirements, highlighting the persistent skills mismatch that results in many Filipino graduates finding employment in fields unrelated to their academic training.
According to Philippines News Agency, during his visit to the Lipa-Malvar (LIMA) Estate in Batangas, President Marcos advocated for an education and training system that not only produces graduates but equips them with skills that are in demand by industries. "Our people deserve the skills that allow them to find meaningful work, build careers, and contribute to the growth of our economy and our country," he stated. He stressed the importance of ensuring that as industries evolve, Filipino workers are prepared to advance alongside them.
Marcos referenced a 2021 study by the Asian Development Bank, which revealed that approximately one-third of college graduates were employed in positions meant for individuals without a college education. Similarly, two-thirds of technical-vocational education and training (TVET) graduates found jobs in fields unrelated to their training. Labor force surveys further indicate difficult-to-fill positions, underscoring the discrepancies between available skills in the workforce and those sought by employers.
"These figures call on us to bring education and training closer to the needs of our industries, and to better prepare our people for the opportunities that lay ahead," Marcos remarked. He highlighted the Batangas State University (BSU) LIMA Campus and the JERA-AboitizPower Global Technical Center of Excellence (GTCOE) as prime examples of successful industry-academe collaboration. The BSU campus, located within the LIMA Estate, integrates engineering students with companies and real industrial settings, tailoring their education to workplace demands and evolving skill requirements.
The GTCOE offers technical training and knowledge-sharing for power-sector professionals, covering areas such as plant operations, maintenance, safety, and emerging energy technologies. Marcos emphasized that such partnerships can bridge the gap between academic learning and employer needs, while also providing workers with opportunities to enhance their skills as industries transform.
The administration is also expanding other pathways to address the skills gap, including micro-credential programs, enterprise-based training, and recognition of prior learning. From July 2022 to May 2026, the government registered 703 micro-credential competency programs and assessed nearly 4.9 million TVET graduates. The number of TVET assessors increased from 13,535 in July 2022 to 16,640 as of May 2026. As of April, 3,819 beneficiaries had enrolled in the Enterprise-based Education and Training Program, offering hands-on experience in actual industry settings.
President Marcos urged the government, academia, and private sector to enhance opportunities for Filipinos to learn, reskill, and upgrade their competencies. "Let us make training more accessible and responsive to the needs of our industries," he concluded.
