AN estimated $258 million World Bank-backed initiative is expected to improve the employability of Filipino workers by strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs and aligning them more closely with labor-market demand.
A new document released by the multilateral lender on Tuesday showed that the proposed Boosting Employability in Strategic TVET Sectors (Best) Project is scheduled for appraisal on August 17, while its consideration is tentatively set for July 7, 2027.
The project, which will be implemented by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), seeks to improve access to TVET, increase learner certification, and make training programs more responsive to employment opportunities in priority sectors.
These include construction, agri-fisheries, information and communications technology, manufacturing and semiconductors, as well as early-years worker training.
The World Bank said the initiative would address both the supply and demand sides of the skills system.
On the learner side, the project is expected to strengthen learner readiness, certification, and access to market-relevant programs through the Skills Passport, foundational skills assessments, remedial learning, and nationally recognized credentials.
On the demand side, it would expand enterprise-based training and micro-credentials and strengthen employer participation to ensure that training programs better reflect current and emerging skills requirements.
‘These reforms are expected to increase employment in related occupations, improve worker productivity and earnings, and strengthen pathways into higher-quality jobs in priority growth sectors,’ the World Bank said.
The lender said that at least 176,704 TVET learners is expected to benefit from the program, including youth who are not in education, employment or training, as well as beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Interventions will cover 37 project sites selected partly based on unemployment levels and the concentration of disadvantaged learners, including 4Ps beneficiaries and those not in education, employment, or training.
The project would also upgrade 17 existing Tesda technology institution sites in five regions through investments in digital TVET infrastructure, learning systems, training equipment, and improvements to existing facilities.
If approved, the Best project would be Tesda’s first World Bank-assisted program.