The Department of Education (DepEd) is in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to step up the advocacy towards enhancing the status of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a viable career pathway for Senior High School (SHS) students.
In a recent forum by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), agencies in the Philippines have common challenges across Southeast Asia regarding quality TVET programs. Among common issues, it presents inadequate funding and the pressing need to increase workforce preparation among graduates.
The forum, “Shifting Mindset: Reshaping Youth Perception of TVET in Southeast Asia,” falls under the SEAMEO Council Presidency Flagship Program 4. The program forms a good avenue for member countries to engage, share best practices, and strategize towards improvement in the best way possible for TVET across the Southeast Asia region.
The two-day program includes plenary sessions, open forums, and workshops to foster active engagement among stakeholders and policymakers. An exhibit of advanced 4IR technologies and AI applications in TVET helped me take the opportunity to peek into the future of technical education.
TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez made a video message stressing that regional efforts in upgrading the relevance and quality of TVET have to continue unabated. These are, he said, crucial for the capabilities building of youths in Southeast Asia, as they are equipped with the skills desired by the new world of work.
Building on this new thrust, DepEd and TESDA expect to reshape perceptions regarding TVET with the support of key drivers for workforce development and economic growth, not only for the Philippines but also for other nations across the world.
