Gatchalian seeks better upskilling of youth
TO help spur economic recovery and address jobs-education mismatch, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian called on the government to improve the implementation of skilling and training programs to prepare the youth in meeting industry standards.
Gatchalian, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, cited a March 2021 discussion paper from state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) that identified challenges hounding skills training programs particularly in Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The PIDS study said many aspects of training regulations are not up to date with current industry standards.
He said trainers and assessors are not fully aware of industry needs unlike industry-based experts or practitioners.
“Entry-level workers are falling short on soft skills, such as communication skills and workplace discipline, the study finds. This entails the review of TVET curricula content to ensure the sufficiency of teaching these skills under training regulations,” he added.
With the Covid-19 pandemic, Gatchalian said the study recommended raising the need for investing in flexible learning modalities and boosting digital skills, especially since businesses have been forced to go online.
“Sa pagbangon ng ating bansa mula sa mga pinsalang dulot ng Covid-19, kailangang tutukan natin ang pag-ang at ng kalidad ng pagsasanay ng mga kabataan upang maihanda sila kapag sumabak na sila sa trabaho at tiyakin na ang kanilang kasanayan at kakayahan ay angkop sa pangangailangan ng mga industriya (With the country’s recovery from the damages brought by Covid-19, we need to focus on the upgrading of the quality of skilling and training programs to prepare the youth in meeting industry standards),” the lawmaker said.
To ensure that TVET policies address the needs and issues of stakeholders, Gatchalian said the study eyes regular dialogues between the government, employers and TVET providers to ensure that training regulations keep pace with the rapid changes in the industry, labor market and training landscape.
Gatchalian said his proposed establishment of the National Education Council will help foster the dialogues and address issues on TVET and other education policies.
Senate Bill 1526, or the National Education Council Act, aims to institutionalize national coordination and harmonization of policies among the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.