TRADE and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual has proposed the shortening of college years and for schools to focus on skills training.

Pascual, former president of the University of the Philippines, said that the country’s education system needs to focus on teaching skills that companies require.

He said that colleges should be job-oriented and be specific on jobs rather than having vague courses like general education.

“The trend now in higher education is to shorten the numbers you need to get a college degree,” Pascual said at the National Conference of Employers organized by the Employers Confederation of the Philippines on Wednesday.

“We have to move towards that direction. There should be no more general education courses in college. General education courses will be taken care of in the K-12 curriculum. College should focus on the major subjects,” he added.

The official also noted that digital skills are not being developed.