President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on educational institutions, government bodies, and private sector leaders on Monday, September 7, to broaden skills-building programs and ensure training remains directly aligned with evolving market demands.
Speaking at the first anniversary of the JERA-AboitizPower Global Technical Center of Excellence (GTCOE) in Batangas, the Chief Executive emphasized the necessity of accessible workforce development to support economic growth and expand career opportunities for local workers.
”I call on our partners in the academe, in government, and industry to continue opening more opportunities for Filipinos to learn and to develop their skills. Let us make training more accessible and responsive to the needs of our industries,” he said.
Marcos encouraged aspiring professionals to pursue continuous self-improvement and take advantage of opportunities within expanding sectors.
”To every Filipino who dreams of becoming a professional, wants to boost their competencies, or sees an opportunity in a growing industry: Take that leap of faith. Continue learning, improving, and believing in what you can accomplish,” Marcos added.
The President assured the public that the administration remains committed to supporting workers seeking to advance their careers and elevate their communities.
He noted that educational systems must evolve alongside industry shifts.
”At the same time, education should also address the needs of our industries and demands of our society,” he said.
To illustrate the underlying skills mismatch, Marcos referenced a 2021 Asian Development Bank (ADB) study showing that roughly one-third of college graduates are working in positions requiring non-college credentials, while two-thirds of technical-vocational education and training (TVET) graduates hold jobs outside their field of study.
He further pointed out that labor market data highlights persistent hard-to-fill vacancies across key sectors.
”These figures call on us to bring education and training closer to the needs of our industries, and to better prepare our people for the opportunities that lay ahead,” Marcos said.
The GTCOE, created through a joint initiative between JERA Company Inc. and AboitizPower, serves as a technical instruction hub focused on building expertise in power plant operations, maintenance, safety, and modern energy applications through flagship offerings like the Operations and Maintenance Basic Training Program and the Advanced Global Start-Up Training Program.