Thousands of Filipinos could soon see clearer pathways from education to employment as the government moves to better align training systems with industry demand, following the first meeting of the Education and Workforce Development Group (EWDG).
In a statement, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the inter-agency body convened on April 22 in Makati City to outline priorities aimed at strengthening the link between education, skills development, and job creation.
The EWDG, chaired by Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., brings together key agencies including the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).
The group is tasked with coordinating policies, programs, and investments across education and workforce development to improve job readiness and expand access to quality employment, while supporting broader economic growth and poverty reduction goals.
A key outcome of the meeting was the push to develop a 10-year National Education and Workforce Development Plan, which will guide reforms based on recommendations from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).
The long-term strategy aims to boost workforce competitiveness and better match learning outcomes with evolving industry
needs.
During the session, DOLE officials presented updates on labor market information systems and the role of Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) in connecting jobseekers with opportunities nationwide. Meanwhile, DEPDev outlined priorities under its Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan, focusing on workforce planning, improved labor data systems, and stronger inter-agency coordination.
EDCOM II also shared findings from its final report, highlighting persistent gaps in the education sector and the need to better align curricula with labor market demands.
A ceremonial turnover of Project TAHANAN, a unified data system linking education agencies, was also held, signaling efforts to improve data-driven policymaking across the sector.
Senior officials from participating agencies, including DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, attended the meeting alongside other government leaders.
The EWDG’s initial discussions also covered its structure, processes, and key milestones, as the government looks to build a more coordinated and responsive education-to-employment pipeline.