Short-course certificates seen as key to expanding pool of skilled workers

THE Private Sector Advisory Council’s (PSAC) jobs sector group pressed the government to expand certificate programs to train more skilled workers.

In a statement on Wednesday, the PSAC called for more accelerated certificate programs, particularly through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“These shorter courses effectively address the demand for skilled workers, empowering individuals for a wide array of employment opportunities,” it said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported unemployment at 3.1% in December, against 4.3% a year earlier.

PSAC also backed the Marcos administration’s scholarship program committing healthcare and digital industry scholars to working in the Philippines for two or three years. The program aims to “nurture local talent” and retain healthcare and digital industry workers within the country before they switch to overseas employment.

The PSAC also called for alternative solutions to improve seafarer training, such as sharing vessels across a number of maritime schools, who must currently maintain their own ships to offer students hands-on training. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave