THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority gathered stakeholders from the construction sector to strengthen the implementation of technical vocational education and training in the country.

The meeting last February 17 aimed to convey the importance of creating National Industry Boards with the participation of TVET stakeholders.

The IBs serve as the voice through which the industries may raise their views and concerns.

In his message, Director General Danilo Cruz highlighted the critical role of various industries in the governance of technical education and skills development. He added that TESDA continues to establish IBs at the national, regional, and provincial levels.

“TESDA continues to work with various stakeholders and establishes partnerships that are geared towards the development of skilled human resources in the country to address perennial problems like skills-job mismatch, skills priorities, and skills anticipation,” the TESDA chief said.

Through IBs, TVET programs can be made more responsive to the changing learning, industry, and demographic development requirements at the local and international levels.

The establishment of IBs is in line with TESDA’s area-based and demand-driven TVET, response to new and emerging industries, and ensuring a steady and skilled supply of workers.

There are two recognized National IBs — the Philippine Constructors Association for the construction sector, and the Analytics Association of the Philippines for the artificial intelligence and data analytics subsector of ICT.

TESDA has shifted from a supply-driven to a more demand-driven and area-based central strategy to make Philippine TVET responsive to the critical needs of the industries and stakeholders. This strategy in TVET also serves as an alternative pathway to prepare for future jobs and training needs.