Following the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act (Republic Act No. 12063), Senator Win Gatchalian eyes increased job readiness among technical vocational education and training (TVET) graduates in the country.

The landmark law, which Gatchalian co-authored, seeks to strengthen, rationalize, and harmonize programs, such as apprenticeship, learnership, and the dual training system under a competency-based and industry-driven EBET framework. The law provides that the EBET framework shall ensure ease of implementation of training initiatives by enterprises. The EBET Framework Act further ensures access to training of individuals who intend to upgrade their skill for potential employment, and for career progression.

Gatchalian hopes that the law will increase EBET Programs, which refer to tech-voc training delivered by enterprises, including private individuals, partnerships, corporations, or entities. 

“Enterprise-based training gives us effective mechanisms to address jobs-skills mismatch and strengthen the collaboration between industries and the education sector. Sa pamamagitan ng mga ganitong programa, matitiyak nating handa ang ating mga TVET graduates na maging bahagi ng ating mga industriya,” said Gatchalian.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) previously raised that despite the efficacy of enterprise-based training and apprenticeship programs in providing skills and guaranteeing superior labor market outcomes, they remain the least popular modality in TVET. In 2022, enterprise-based trainees only accounted for 9% of total TVET enrollment.

An Asian Development Bank study also pointed out that while some skills may be irrelevant because of rapid technological change, enterprise-based training offers an edge because it is aligned with rapidly evolving workplace and workshop needs.