THE country’s top young skilled professionals have officially entered the more intensive second phase of preparations for the highly anticipated WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025 competition.

The three-month training camp is designed to sharpen the knowledge, technical expertise, and values of the Philippine delegation across 32 skill areas. The initiative is spearheaded by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in close collaboration with national and regional experts, industry partners, and training institutions.

“This is more than just preparation—it’s a commitment to excellence. We are developing not just world-class skills, but world-class confidence and character,” said TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez.

From January to May this year, the competitors completed the first phase of training in their respective regions.

Over the next three months, they will undergo simulations replicating actual tasks required during the competition. Topics such as scoring breakdowns and assessment methods will also be tackled. Additionally, behavioral training will be conducted to strengthen the competitors’ mental and emotional readiness for the high-pressure environment of international skills competitions.

Participants in 27 skill areas will continue their preparations at TESDA facilities in Taguig City, including the Human Resource Development Center, the Regional Training Center–National Capital Region, the Pasay-Makati District Training and Assessment Center, the MuntiParLasTaPat District Training and Assessment Center, and the TESDA Women’s Center.

Meanwhile, training for the remaining five skill areas will be held off-site at the Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education, Lyceum of the Philippines University campuses in Batangas and Manila, PTC-Pilar in Bohol, Southwestern College of Maritime, Business and Technology, and the facilities of the Information and Communication Technology and Cybersecurity Industry Association of the Philippines.

This training camp underscores TESDA’s strong partnership with the private sector. Industry partners such as Hytec Power Inc., Yalong, FESTO, L’Oréal Philippines, Lorae Institute, Hocheng Philippines, Hypertech, and Unitec Pipe Manufacturing have contributed training equipment, tools, and supplies to help enhance the skills of all competitors.

TESDA emphasized that this collaboration aligns participants’ competencies with global industry standards, ensuring that the Philippines not only serves as a host but also competes at the highest level when the ASEAN Skills Competition kicks off in August 2025.

“We are inspired to raise the bar for technical excellence in the region. Our youth are ready to prove that Filipino skills are among the best in ASEAN,” Secretary Benitez added.

The biennial WorldSkills ASEAN Competition, scheduled for August 26–28 at the World Trade Center Manila, brings together talented youth from across Southeast Asia to showcase their expertise across a wide range of skill areas. The event aims to raise vocational and technical standards across the ASEAN region, while inspiring young people to pursue excellence in their chosen fields.