THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority have teamed up to align existing programs aimed at addressing the job-skills mismatch and upgrading the competencies of the Filipino workforce.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and TESDA Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez signed a Joint Memorandum Circular on November 13.

According to DOLE, the JMC aims to boost skills training by strengthening the linkage between DOLE’s programs on career development support, livelihood and emergency employment, public employment services, and labor market information with TESDA’s programs on technical-vocational education and training, national apprenticeship, and enterprise-based education and training.

“Aligned with our commitment to addressing job-skills mismatches, this JMC ensures that every Filipino, regardless of background, has access to training, career counseling, and labor market information,” Laguesma said during the signing.

Meanwhile, the TESDA chief said that by aligning their programs, they “can strengthen workforce skills, support career development, expand access to employment, and cultivate sustainable livelihood opportunities.”

Under the agreement, DOLE regional offices will refer clients receiving career development support services and beneficiaries of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program to TESDA regional offices.

Moreover, the regional offices will conduct skills training under the Department’s various youth employability programs.