DOLE, TESDA programs expand job access, skills training for Filipino workers


The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have joined forces to enhance job access and skills development for Filipino workers through a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) and a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA).

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma and TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco "Kiko" B. Benitez signed the agreements, strengthening efforts to advance the country’s national development goals.

The JMC establishes a framework for career counseling, skills training, technical-vocational education, and job-matching services via PhilJobNet and TESDA’s Registry of Certified Workers.

Laguesma underscored the collaboration’s aim to address skill mismatches, align technical training with market needs, and equip Filipinos with the expertise required for a global workforce.

He also expressed gratitude to Benitez for his unwavering commitment to the initiative, recognizing it as a pivotal step toward long-term, sustainable workforce development.

The DSA facilitates data sharing between DOLE and TESDA, ensuring that Filipinos can seamlessly access personalized training and employment opportunities.

Benitez highlighted the JMC’s importance in supporting youth and marginalized communities, positioning it as a crucial initiative for building a more competitive and inclusive workforce.

Aligned with the PESO Five-Point Agenda, the agreements strengthen Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) by integrating digital platforms and extending services to remote areas, thereby broadening access to career pathways.

“This partnership embodies our commitment to building an inclusive, adaptive, and globally competitive workforce for a Bagong Pilipinas,” Laguesma concluded, confident that the collaboration will have a transformative impact.