THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority presented its plan to embed technical vocational education and training qualifications in all Senior High School tracks to improve their employability and promote lifelong learning.

TESDA Director General Suharto Mangudadatu shared the agency’s proposal to equip high school graduates with industry-relevant skills and knowledge during the sectoral meeting presided over by the President in Malacañang Palace last February 27.

“The proposed embedment of relevant TVET Training Regulations in Senior High School curriculum is aimed at enhancing performance tasks to better prepare students for the real world of work,” Mangudadatu explained.

The TESDA chief also expressed his gratitude to the present administration for its support in the endeavor and committed to working closely with the concerned agencies to produce better graduates.

“We shall empower Filipinos to navigate the world of work with confidence by improving their employability and ultimately support and become part of the labor market,” he said.

Following a review by TESDA, 84 training regulations were identified for potential integration into SHS academic strands. These TRs, developed in collaboration with the industry, are aligned with the priorities of the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan 2023-2028 and key employment generators.

By embedding at least one TR in every grade level in the SHS, a learner may earn two National Certificates. The goal is to make learners workforce-ready and become employable.

“The proposed action looks into how the learners can acquire relevant skills, and earn a formal recognition of their skills competencies while achieving the requirements to graduate in the basic education,” Mangudadatu said.

Further, the proposed embedment of TVET in SHS academic strands is a response to the findings of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, entitled “Employability of the Senior High School Graduates: Evidence from the Labor Force Survey”, and the DOLE -JobStreet Senior High School Employability Survey, both of which suggest the necessity of reevaluating the work preparation element in the Senior High School curriculum.

As such, TESDA has drafted a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) on “Strengthening Senior High School Curriculum and Delivery by Embedding TVET in all Senior High School Tracks towards Workforce Readiness and Employability,” which was already vetted by the DepEd and DOLE.

This JMC shall provide the legal basis for TESDA, DepEd, and DOLE to improve and clarify existing implementation of the K to 12 Act, and address the employability of Senior High School graduates. Further, this proposed Joint Memorandum Circular shall ensure the sustainability of the program.

Meanwhile, also during the meeting, the President ordered the creation of a technical working group, which will be composed of TESDA, DepEd, CHED, and DOLE as well as the industries that will further study the proposed embedding of skills TVET into the K-12 curriculum.

The finalization of curriculum guides and pilot implementation in select schools and regions will be conducted in 2025 to assess the effectiveness of the program before the launch of the revised SHS curriculum.

After the pilot implementation, TESDA will be requesting the issuance of an Executive Order to institutionalize the adoption of TVET in the SHS curriculum.