Making Philippines workforce ready for the future

MANILA, Philippines — In response to the rapidly evolving global working landscape, Bayan Academy with the support of J.P. Morgan, has undertaken an initiative called #InDemandPH.

This transformative program has empowered more than 13,000 individuals in underserved communities, providing them with essential skills tailored to meet on-the-job demands of eight priority industries.

These eight priority industries, as identified through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the relevant industry associations, have been projected to experience substantial growth in the coming years: tourism, IT-BPM, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, electronics, transportation and logistics, and health and wellness.

#InDemandPH understands the challenges currently faced by employees in the workforce, and have put forward solutions preparing them for the increasingly complex demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as well as new jobs that may be in-flight to the Philippine marketplace.

Through targeted skills development curricula that have been customized by partners in industry, #InDemandPH ensures that each participant becomes in demand in their respective fields.

Out of the 13,000 participants, an impressive 11,000 have earned credentials, certifications, or licensure, significantly enhancing their employability. With this, the average monthly wage for those placed or promoted is $303 (approximately P16,665) — tremendously uplifting their and their families’ lives and paving the way for economic prosperity within their communities.

Presently, over 10,000 beneficiaries of #InDemandPH are gainfully employed on a full-time basis.

The seed for #InDemandPH had been planted in 2017 when TESDA initiated a cross-collaboration with various government, non-government and private stakeholders, including the former president of Bayan Academy, the late Eduardo Morato Jr. to formulate the 2018-2022 National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP). This blueprint strategically identified the eight priority industries, setting the stage for a transformative journey.

In 2018, Bayan Academy joined forces with TESDA, and with the generous support from J.P. Morgan, the project “Revamping the Vocational Schools System in the Philippines” was initiated and further aided TESDA in implementing the 2018-2022 NTESDP effectively.