DepEd eyes bigger private sector role in readying students for job market

Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday urged members of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) to expand their engagement with the Department of Education (DepEd), stressing that industry involvement is necessary to improve how schools prepare students for employment.

Speaking at AmCham’s General Membership Meeting, Angara said the DepEd is implementing several reforms but noted that these require collaboration with employers to ensure that training and learning materials translate to actual workplace skills.

“We want every graduate to have a fighting chance when they finally test the waters of the real world,” Angara said,

He invited companies to contribute to curriculum review, provide work immersion opportunities, and participate in co-developing programs tied to industry requirements.

Reforms for implementation gaps

Angara said the DepEd is rolling out changes that include adjustments to the senior high school program, expanded immersion hours, integration of technical-vocational components, updates to learning materials, and increased school operations funding.

He said these efforts are meant to strengthen students’ foundational and applied skills, but added that their effectiveness depends on engagement from sectors that will eventually employ graduates.

Existing collaborations with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and private firms were cited as examples of multi-sector work that support skills alignment.

However, Angara said more companies are needed for nationwide implementation.

He also cited the DepEd’s coordination with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC)’s Jobs Committee through the Private Sector Jobs and Skills Corporation (PCORP), which focuses on teacher training, curriculum alignment, job matching, and smoother school-to-work transitions.

The DepEd presented several possible areas where AmCham members could contribute, including:

• STEM and digital skills development
• Teacher training support
• Industry-standard learning tools
• Participation in the Adopt-a-School Program, and
• Additional work immersion slots for senior high school students.

Angara also encouraged companies to share insights on projected workforce needs amid technological changes and evolving global trade conditions.

The AmCham meeting, themed “The Philippine Labor Market Outlook 2026: Policies and Partnerships for a Competitive Workforce,” brought together business leaders, multinational firms, and industry groups discussing challenges in developing job-ready talent.

Angara added that the DepEd intends to continue working with various chambers and companies to align education initiatives with labor market expectations and improve pathways from basic education to employment. — JMA, GMA Integrated News