The Philippine government is urging companies to take a more active role in workforce development under a new law that enables businesses to register and implement their own training programs with state support. During a panel discussion on artificial intelligence, innovation, and the future of work at Cebu Business Month 2026, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Deputy Director General Galo Glino III highlighted Republic Act 12063, or the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (Ebet) Framework Act, as a key tool to address persistent skills gaps and prepare workers for rapid technological changes.
Enterprise-Led Training Under the Ebet Law
Signed in November 2024, the Ebet Act institutionalizes enterprise-based education and training programs, allowing companies to design and register courses tailored to their workforce needs. Tesda provides support through training assistance, scholarship packages, and streamlined registration processes. The implementing rules and regulations were signed in February 2025. “We want enterprises and corporations to be active players and actors, and to be providers and deliverers of training that are relevant to their operations,” Glino said.
The initiative comes as industries face mounting pressure to reskill workers amid the growing adoption of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. According to Glino, traditional training approaches may no longer be sufficient given the pace of change in the labor market. “The world of work is changing. We cannot do business as usual. We cannot do more of the same,” he said.
Addressing Skills Gaps and Job Mismatch
Tesda is promoting enterprise-based learning alongside micro-credential programs—short-term, stackable courses designed to help workers acquire specific skills quickly. The agency has partnered with educational institutions, startups, and private companies to expand AI-related and digital skills training nationwide. Glino noted that enterprises are often best positioned to identify competencies required by their industries and respond faster to changing business needs. By allowing companies to directly participate in workforce development, the government aims to narrow the gap between training programs and actual labor market demands. “Job-skills mismatch is very real,” Glino acknowledged.
AI Upskilling Roadmap and Digital Tools
Tesda is collaborating with the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and industry groups to align training programs with workforce requirements under the government’s broader AI upskilling roadmap. The agency initially launched AI-related training programs with a capacity of about 18,000 learners this year and is now expanding through partnerships with schools, startups, and businesses. Beyond classroom instruction, Tesda is exploring educational technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality to improve training delivery and accessibility.
Additionally, Tesda is developing a digital platform called the Skills Passport, which will provide workers, students, and employers with access to information on training programs, career pathways, and skills requirements. For businesses, the platform will serve as a gateway for registering enterprise-based training programs and connecting with government support mechanisms. “The training that enterprises provide is often the most relevant because it is directly linked to the skills needed in their operations,” Glino said. “That is why we want businesses to become active partners in developing the workforce of the future.”
