FISH Visayas held a virtual coordination meeting for dual education training. Aimed to create a work plan that suits the resources of the BMOs, the meeting was held on August 11, 2021, and attended by AFOS, NOCCI, and CCCI-ACAS.
The virtual meeting allowed the participants to take advantage of Zoom’s Breakout Rooms, where they discussed various aspects to create the work plan for Dual Education Training (DET).
Rising youth unemployment rates are increasingly recognized as a serious challenge in advanced and developing economies. This indicates a potential skills gap between workforce demands and recent graduates. Effective dual education programs that combine classroom training and practical skill training introduce a method for improving a skilled workforce to meet workforce demands.
Despite numerous government programs and initiatives to reduce unemployment, it remains a significant problem in the country. Job-skills mismatch is frequently cited as one of the causes of high unemployment, particularly among the young. Graduates, in particular, lack the competencies and skills required by industries. On the other hand, many companies are unaware of the qualifications necessary.
The Dual Training System (DTS) was established in the Philippines in February 1994 by Republic Act No. 7686, also known as the Dual Training System Act of 1994. The law requires the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to facilitate, coordinate, and administer the DTS. It includes tax benefits to encourage businesses to participate in the DTS.
The government is promoting the DTS because it particularly solves the problem of job-skills mismatch by encouraging collaboration among Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs). This type of collaboration allows schools and TVIs to determine industries’ skills needs and foster connections that will motivate companies to directly employ students/graduates and aid their partner institutions and schools.
According to local studies in the Philippines, DTS, and other TVET modalities, promoting industry partnerships lead to high employment rates. Moreover, a cost-benefit analysis reveals that DTS has a positive spillover effect since DTS-trained employees are more productive. Despite these advantages, DTS accounts for a very small percentage of trainees in the TVET sector in the country. Despite existing laws and incentives aimed at increasing its use, promoting DTS as a method of TVET delivery remains a challenge.
These actions have been effective since the programs are well-targeted, focused, and aligned with the priorities and needs of industry and government. They make the most of their cooperation with stakeholders to meet and identify the needs of their target groups.
Meanwhile, the DET is very useful as NOCCI has very limited resources in terms of personnel. During the meeting, it was made sure that the work plan created was simple and attainable.