The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) have joined hands to augment the government’s thrust in solving the jobs and skills mismatch problem in the country, coming up with an “enhanced work immersion” program for senior high school students that will be implemented starting this school year.

The education department and PSAC Jobs Committee, through the Private Sector Jobs and Skills Corporation (PCORP), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to pilot the program seen to boost the employability of senior high school students.

The MOA signing was witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday at the Malacañan Palace.

The agreement includes the enhanced work immersion experience for students, curriculum alignment allowing more hours for students to learn skills aligned with current industry standards, teachers training to effectively guide students in their journey, and job fairs and matching opportunities nationwide.

“This initiative aims to bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical industry experience, making students more attractive to potential employers,” the PSAC said in a news release.

Among the first industries to join the new program are the Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines (SEIPI), IT Business Processing Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), Philippine Constructors Association (PCA), Confederation of Wearables Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), iPeople through the National Teachers College (NTC), SM Group, and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (Go Negosyo).

Ten schools across the country, including one specializing in the Alternative Learning System (ALS), are set to participate in the pilot program.

These schools can choose focus areas such as IT-BPM, tourism and hospitality, agriculture and entrepreneurship, and manufacturing, sectors which are known for their high demand for workers and abundant job opportunities.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara expressed support for the latest step to enhance students’ employability.

“This MOA gives our students the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience while still studying. In that way, it follows the President’s marching orders to us to do everything we can to improve the quality of our education and boost the chances of our graduates at landing better earning opportunities,” he said, as quoted by the PSAC.

DepEd and PSAC Jobs, along with school heads and industry partners, have been conducting workshops and consultations to establish guidelines for the pilot program that is set to begin in the 2024-2025 school year.

Composed of some of the country’s renowned business tycoons, PSAC offers guidance to the President in supporting the country’s economic objectives. (PNA)