The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch A Future that Works (AFW) initiative that seeks to address and correct skills mismatch in the country.
A two-year initiative funded by DFAT and implemented by PBEd, AFW a also brings together stakeholders in the industry to establish the Sector Skills Council (SSC), where they will be joined by industry players like the Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP), Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI), and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Human Resources Development Foundation (PCCI-HRDF).
The SSC aims to take a more organized and coordinated approach in skills development by linking and working together with the government and the academe to craft policies and programs that are responsive to the needs of industries. It will initially focus on sectors of food processing, semiconductors and electronics, and analytics.
The Council will also conduct market intelligence research to provide timely and relevant information on jobs in demand by specific industries.
PBEd chair Ramon del Rosario said there is a pressing need to address skills mismatch in the country amid technological developments and breakthroughs that may place jobs at risk, and create high unemployment rate in the country.
Del Rosario said this could be addressed through upskilling the workforce and match their skills to the requirements of industries through training and education. “With the right investments in our workforce, we could help create a new age of good jobs, meaningful work, and improved quality of life for all,” he added.
During the online ceremonial signing, Australian Ambassador to the Philippine Steven Robinson welcomed the involvement of various industry associations in the AFW.