On March 14, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed a memorandum of agreement on a collaboration on skills development that is responsive to the future of employment. The partnership aims to conduct joint programs and interventions to address policy issues on technical-vocational education and training (TVET) and employment, and implement activities on the ground such as employment facilitation for TESDA graduates, participation in programs such as apprenticeship, enterprise-based training, and area-based and demand-driven TVET.
In the message delivered by ECOP President Ortiz-Luis, he highlighted that he hopes that “through this Memorandum of Agreement, the Philippine business community can fully grasp, not only the magnitude of their obligation, but also what they stand to gain from ensuring that workers of tomorrow have the right skills for employment.”
TESDA Director General Cruz emphasized that “our systems and reforms are for the industry who are the takers of our graduates. The capability of our graduates rests on the strong foundation that sprung upon the needs and requirements of the employers. If this phase is assured, productivity and employment will likewise be assured and this partnership will serve its purpose.”
ECOP was led by its President, Mr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., while the TESDA team was headed by its Director-General Danilo P. Cruz.