MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Jobs Committee signed a memorandum of agreement to pilot an enhanced work immersion program aimed at boosting senior high school students’ employability. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing at Malacañang.
“This partnership is a crucial step in preparing our students for the workforce,” said PSAC Jobs Committee Lead, Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III.
The MoA focuses on aligning the curriculum with industry standards, increasing hands-on training, and providing job-matching opportunities. The pilot program will involve ten schools and industries like semiconductors, IT-BPM, tourism, and agriculture, addressing the jobs and skills mismatch in the country.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara emphasized the initiative’s role in offering students practical experience, following the President’s directive to improve educational quality and employment prospects.
The DepEd, along with industry partners, is actively working to establish guidelines for this school year’s implementation.
A study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies highlights that 40% of employed Filipinos are overqualified for their jobs, underscoring the importance of this collaboration.
(ia/mnm)
