Vocational education in the Philippines

In the Philippines, vocational education, also referred to as technical-vocational education and training (TVET), is the development of technical and practical skills for employment. It is primarily implemented by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), while in basic education it is conducted in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).[1]

History

On December 3, 1927, the Philippines approved Act No. 3377, promoting agriculture and vocational education, which is introduced vocational education in the Philippine education system.[2][3]

In 1991, the Philippine Congress through the Joint Resolution No. 2 created the Congressional Commission for Education (EDCOM) which then recommended the trifocalization of Philippine Education.[4]

On August 15, 1994, the enactment of Republic Act No. 7796 created the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) which focuses on the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan.[5] Prior to the enactment of the law are the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education (BTVE) of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), and the Apprenticeship Program of the Bureau of Local Employment of DOLE.

On November 21, 2014, Republic Act No. 10647 or the "Ladderized Education Act of 2014" was approved which defines the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) as "a national policy which describes the levels of educational qualifications and sets the standards for qualification outcomes" and furthermore "It is a quality assured national system for the development, recognition and award of qualifications based on standards of knowledge, skills and values acquired in different ways and methods by learners and workers of a certain country". The PQF is a qualifications framework in the national level which has counterparts in other countries such as the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF), and Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)

On January 16, 2018, Republic Act No. 10968 or the "PQF Act" was approved which institutionalizes the Philippine Qualifications Framework and created the Philippine Qualifications Framework-National Coordinating Council (PQF-NCC)[6]

On February 7, 2018, Republic Act No. 10970 or An Act Declaring the Twenty-Fifth Day of August of Every Year as the National Tech-Voc Day was approved.[7] The activities for the National Tech-Voc Day shall be implemented by the TESDA ad DepEd as lead agencies.[8]

On July 23, 2022, Republic Act No. 11899 lapsed into law which then created the Second Congressional Commission on Education which then provided reports on Education in the Philippines.[9]

On November 7, 2024, Republic Act No. 12063, or the "Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act", was approved.[10][11][12][13]

On October 23, 2025, Republic Act No. 12313 or the "Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) Act", which amends the "PQF Act", was approved.[14][15][16] On June 25, 2026, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 12313 was signed.[17]

Statistics

YearEnrolledGraduatedAssessedCertifiedReference
2020802,218715,158493,018462,189[18]
20211,240,0991,157,189637,659586,327[19]
20221,260,2441,231,284907,244844,368[20]
20231,633,3931,428,7241,043,601973,563[21]
20241,616,7721,450,0081,302,3791,221,030[22]

Basic Education

Republic Act No. 10533 or the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013" introduced the K to 12 curriculum in Philippine Education which is then gradually implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd). In the implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum, students are allowed to choose the different tracks such as the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) Track, Academic Track, Arts and Design Track, and Sports Track which is then decreased into two tracks.[23]

Students in Basic Education particularly those in Senior High School may take TESDA Assessment and in 2026 approximately 190,000 students have undergone national competency assessments and received National Certificate according to their track.[24]

Strengthened SHS Program

In the Strengthened SHS Program the Department of Education decreased the offered tracks into the Technical-Professional (TechPro) Track and the Academic Track.[25][26][27] Under the new curriculum the maximum number of hours for work immersion is increased from 320 to 640 hours depending on the track. [28]

Enterpirse-Based Education and Training

The Enterpirse-Based Education and Training (EBET) Programs are developed by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in partnership with TESDA recognized industry boards[29] The framework allows enterprises to conduct apprenticeship and upskilling programs which connects current industry practices to classroom instruction.[30]

Assessment and Certification

Upon completion of a module or course, the student receives a Certificate of Completion but must pass a TESDA Assessment to receive a National Certification.

National Certification

TESDA issues a National Certificate (NC) upon passing a competency assessment and the Certificate is recognized nationwide and in other countries for employment. [31] Assessment is done by TESDA-accredited assessment centers, TESDA Regional and Provincial Offices, and TESDA TVET Institution-Assessment Centers.

Examples of National Certification are the following:

  • Caregiving NC II
  • Cookery NC II
  • Housekeeping NC II
  • Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II
  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II
  • Automotive Servicing NC II
  • Computer Systems Servicing NC II
  • Plumbing NC II
  • Bartending NC II

TVET Trainers

To become TESDA Certified Trainers, teachers are required to take the Trainers Methodology I.[32]

TESDA Online Program

TESDA offers free education online.[33]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "DepEd, TESDA team up to boost quality of SHS TechPro programs". Manila Bulletin. 6 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Act No. 3377". The Lawphil Project. Arellano Law Foundation Inc. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  3. ↑ Edralin, Divina; Pastrana, Ronald (30 April 2023). "Technical and vocational education and training in the Philippines: In retrospect and its future directions". Bedan Research Journal. 8 (1): 138–172. doi:10.58870/berj.v8i1.50. ISSN 2799-094X. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  4. ↑ Paqueo, Vicente; Sister, Johanna Marie Astrid; Sarne, Solomon; Lavega, Marie Louissie Ynez; Orbeta, Aniceto Jr.; Abrigo, Michael; Maddawin, Ricxie (2024). "The Impact of Trifocalization on Philippine Education Outcomes and the Coordination Issue". doi:10.62986/dp2024.15. hdl:10419/311703.
  5. ↑ "Brief History of TESDA".
  6. ↑ https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1028845
  7. ↑ https://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/tesda-spearheads-world-cafe-of-opportunities-a-national-tech-voc-day/
  8. ↑ https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1282563
  9. ↑ "Bill creating EDCOM II lapses into law". The Philippine STAR.
  10. ↑ "New EBET Framework Act seeks to bridge job-skills gap, boost employment opportunities for Filipinos". 7 November 2024.
  11. ↑ "New EBET law to open doors to industry-led training and ramp up upskilling". 28 February 2025.
  12. ↑ "Marcos signs enterprise-based training law to address jobs mismatch". 8 November 2024.
  13. ↑ "Enterprise-based education signed into law". The Philippine STAR.
  14. ↑ https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/pbbm-signs-law-institutionalizing-lifelong-learning-development-framework-to-build-inclusive-productive-communities/
  15. ↑ "DepEd moves to make lifelong learning a reality for every Filipino". Manila Bulletin. 10 March 2026.
  16. ↑ "DepEd refines Lifelong Learning Law to count work, life skills for school credits". 10 March 2026.
  17. ↑ Apacible, Lisa Marie (July 10, 2026). "IRR signed to implement Lifelong Learning Act, recognizing skills gained beyond classrooms". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  18. ↑ https://www.tesda.gov.ph/Uploads/File/Planning2020/TVETStats/21.04.29_2020-Annual-TVET-Statistics_v-1.5.pdf
  19. ↑ https://www.tesda.gov.ph/Uploads/File/Planning2022/Annual%20Report/ANNUAL-TVET-Stat-2021-1.pdf
  20. ↑ https://www.tesda.gov.ph/Uploads/File/Planning2022/Annual%20Report/2022%20TVET%20Statistics%20Annual%20Report.pdf
  21. ↑ https://www.tesda.gov.ph/Uploads/File/Planning2024/Annual%20Report/24.03.25%20ANNUAL%20TVET%20Statistics%202023.pdf
  22. ↑ https://www.tesda.gov.ph/Uploads/File/Planning2024/Annual%20Report/2024%20TVET%20STATISTICS.pdf
  23. ↑ "DepEd plans to cut Senior High School tracks from 4 to 2". Manila Bulletin. 14 March 2025.
  24. ↑ "Making K to 12 work: Turning reform into real employability". Manila Bulletin. 10 January 2026.
  25. ↑ "No more strands? DepEd opens new draft senior high curriculum for feedback". The Philippine STAR.
  26. ↑ "New TechPro SHS track to address tech-voc challenges - TESDA". 23 October 2025.
  27. ↑ "Strengthened SHS Program". Department of Education.
  28. ↑ "DepEd Rolls Out Strengthened Senior High School Curriculum". SunStar. 5 March 2026.
  29. ↑ https://dole.gov.ph/news/govt-boosts-workforce-competitiveness-through-enterprise-based-training/
  30. ↑ "TESDA, industry partners to bridge skills gap with EBET rollout in E. Visayas". Philippine Information Agency. 22 April 2026.
  31. ↑ "'Low pay, few opportunities drive Tesda grads abroad'". The Manila Times. 18 April 2026.
  32. ↑ https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2119759/teachers-set-for-upskilling-under-deped-tesda-agreement
  33. ↑ "How OFWs can avail of TESDA's free online learning program | ABS-CBN".
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