PEZA, TESDA partner to strengthen workforce

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has teamed up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to strengthen the Philippine workforce and prepare them for the evolving demands of the labor market.

In a statement, the PEZA said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by PEZA director general Tereso Panga and TESDA director general Jose Francisco Benitez last Jan. 22, to work together in promoting a more globally competitive workforce through skills development and job matching, including the integration of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) into the local labor market.

Under the MOU, PEZA and TESDA will administer skills surveys, customize training modules, as well as facilitate job matching for workers, including OFWs.

The PEZA and TESDA will also work together to develop job matching systems and industry immersion programs for TESDA trainers.

The MOU will focus on key sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, logistics and information technology–business process management.

“Our workers, including OFWs, are highly sought after worldwide. This partnership with TESDA ensures their skills align with the evolving needs of industries locally and abroad,” Panga said.

He said the country’s workforce is helping attract firms to invest in manufacturing and services in the Philippines.

For his part, Benitez emphasized that skills training is important in sustaining economic growth, particularly in sectors crucial to the country’s economic zones.

He said there are ongoing initiatives to develop the Philippine Skills Framework for electronics, semiconductors and construction.

There are also efforts to enhance training programs to align with emerging technologies and industry requirements.

“Every upskilled worker we develop brings us one step closer to a future-ready Philippine workforce, equipped to survive this ever-evolving global economy,” Benitez said.

At present, there are 1.8 million Filipinos directly employed by locators in PEZA economic zones.