TACLOBAN CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region 8 (TESDA-8) reported an impressive employment rate of approximately 80% for its 57,706 graduates in 2024.
During this week’s Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, TESDA-8 Assistant Regional Director Vivian E. Abueva shared that the region’s 2024 graduates achieved a remarkable certification rate of 96.32%, with eight out of ten graduates securing employment both within and outside the region.
“These graduates are now contributing to the productivity, quality, and global competitiveness of our country’s middle-level skilled workforce. This speaks volumes about the quality of education and training we offer here in the region,” Abueva stated.
In addition to these figures, TESDA-8’s scholarship program continues to make a significant impact, with 26,896 graduates in 2024, further enhancing access to Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and encouraging skills development across the region.
The region’s workforce is responding to the growing demands of the labor market, particularly as digital transformation drives the need for higher skill levels and more advanced training for Filipino workers. TESDA emphasizes the importance of adapting to these evolving demands.
Abueva stressed the critical need for upskilling, reskilling, and retooling the workforce. “Upskilling or reskilling is vital for workers to acquire new or additional skills to enhance their jobs or livelihood opportunities. Our programs, which are designed in partnership with industry and local government units, directly address job-skill mismatches and help workers find employment,” she said.
TVET is designed to equip students with practical knowledge and hands-on skills for success in specific trades or professions, serving as a viable alternative to traditional academic programs such as university degrees. Through these programs, TESDA aims to better align the local workforce with the skills demanded by the market.
In a significant move to strengthen the country’s vocational training framework, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12063 in November 2023, or the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act. The law institutionalizes and strengthens apprenticeship programs nationwide, ensuring that the country’s education system remains in sync with the rapidly changing labor market and helping bridge the skills gap across industries. | AHLETTE C. REYES via Samar Chronicle
