FILIPINOS seeking careers in the rapidly growing field of analytics and artificial intelligence now have a roadmap for success with the launch of the Philippine Skills Framework for Analytics and Artificial Intelligence.

The PSF-AAI sprung from the collaboration between the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines, which seeks to empower individuals to navigate career paths in this field.

“This framework is instrumental in reskilling and upskilling the workforce in our ICT (information and communication technologies) industry, aligning them with global standards. Its launch marks a pivotal step toward fostering a dynamic ICT ecosystem by prioritizing the development of its professionals. The PSF serves as a repository of invaluable information, catering to the growing global demand in critical ICT subsectors,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said.

The AAI sector is projected to create an estimated 500,000 jobs by 2028 in different fields such as business intelligence and strategy, data stewardship, data engineering, data science, AI engineering, applied data and AI research, and AAI education.

“From a visionary seed planted seven years ago to a monumental framework today, the PSF-AAI represents a collaborative triumph. This milestone showcases the dedication of the DICT and the AAP and its members, which has transformed a bold aspiration into reality through sustained effort, innovative partnerships across government, academia, and industry, and a steadfast commitment to upskill the nation’s analytics and AI talent,” AAP President Michelle Alarcon said describing the road to the development of the PSF-AAI from the AAP Professional Maturity Model.

The launch held on May 7 in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, marks a significant milestone for A Future That Works, a four-year workforce development initiative supported by the Australian Government and implemented by Philippine Business for Education.

The AFW program seeks to address job-skills mismatch by forging greater industry participation in skills development, through the establishment of Sector Skills Councils which serve as industry voice and promote industry-validated reports including labor market information and career roadmaps to inform education and training systems.

Modeled after the Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Councils, AFW established the Analytics and AI SSC as one of five key industries in the Philippines. By facilitating collaboration between industry, government, and education providers, the SSC fosters a shared understanding of the evolving skills needed in AAI.

“The future economy will heavily rely on skills and expertise. The PSF-AAI provides an excellent opportunity for Filipino job seekers to gain access to the industry and increase their skills and earning potential. The information made available through this framework will help Filipino workers understand AAI careers better, making it more accessible to them,” PBEd Executive Director Justine Raagas said.

The PSF-AAI offers comprehensive information on the various sectors and employment opportunities available in the field of AAI. This includes potential career paths as well as the functional and enabling skills and competencies required for these roles. This is intended to assist job seekers, career-shifters, and workers in developing the skills needed for specific AAI jobs, and at the same time help employers to inform their human resource management and talent development plans.

“The framework can also be a valuable tool for educational and training institutions, allowing them to revise existing curricula or design new courses that are more aligned with current needs and emerging market demands. This focus on skills alignment can potentially lead to a smoother transition from education to work for Filipinos entering the AAI field,” Raagas added.

In 2022, the Analytics and AI Sectors SSC launched the Philippines Analytics Sector LMI Report which provided vital data on industry trends and workforce requirements. This data was incorporated into the PSF-AAI, ensuring the framework addresses the specific skills gap in the Philippine AAI industry.