Marcos backs proposal to create body to address jobs, skills mismatch

JOBS FOR PHILIPPINES The Private Sector Advisory Council-Jobs Sector Group (PSAC-JSG), led by Jose Ma. ‘Joey’ Concepcion 3rd, updates Also present were (from left) Doris Magsaysay-Ho, PSAC Head Sabin Aboitiz, Teresita Sy-Coson, Rizalina Mantaring, Kevin Tan and Alfredo Ayala. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed support for the proposal to create a private sector-led body to address the jobs and skills mismatch in the country.

The Private Sector Advisory Council-Job Sector Group (PSAC-JSG), led by Go Negosyo founder Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion 3rd, proposed the creation of the Private Sector Jobs and Skills Corp. (PSJSC) during a meeting with the President in Malacañang on Thursday.

During the meeting, the President underscored the need for cooperation between the government and the private sector to solve the jobs and skills mismatch problem.

“Well, if it’s private sector-led, then the data gathering function will actually be almost automatic because it’s the private sector that will say ‘these are the things we need’,” the President said during the meeting with business leaders.

The PSJSC’s mission is to organize a “well-coordinated” government-industry-academe national movement to solve the jobs and skills mismatch problem, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

The movement, she said, will be joined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), Department of Science and Technology and Philippine Regulatory Commission.

Garafil said that the creation of the PSJSC has been endorsed by Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan, and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, who attended the meeting with PSAC-JSG.

Highlighting the need for enhanced public-private cooperation to generate more jobs, Marcos directed the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to coordinate with the PSAC-JSG to establish a system that will boost collaboration to reduce the jobs and skills mismatch problem in the priority sectors.

Around 40 percent of employed Filipinos have academic credentials beyond what is needed in their jobs, based on a recent study conducted by the PIDS.

Garafil said the PSAC-JSG has recommended the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) among the proposed PSJSC, member-agencies of the Philippine Skills Framework Council, and other relevant government entities.

She said the signing of the MOA will coordinate efforts between the public and private sectors to address jobs and skills mismatch through research, review of academic programs, inventory of job specifications, and skills and training requirements.

“The program eyes to upgrade the skills of the Filipino workforce required by industry standards to accelerate the creation of more jobs in the country’s priority sectors and help the government solve the jobs and skills mismatch problem, and deliver skilled workers to those sectors,” Garafil said.

“The proposed body intends to support and align industry demands with the government’s education and skills training programs to further strengthen the labor force’s skills development efforts,” she added.

Garafil said the PSJSC will be aligned with the Philippine Skills Framework and National Labor and Employment Plan, which is anchored on the Philippine Development Plan priorities.

Meanwhile, Garafil said the PSAC-JSG has proposed the establishment of a Motorcycle Micro Business Program to fast-track the development and empowerment of motorcycle “nanopreneurs.”

She said there was also a recommendation to address the shortage of nurses and help the Philippines become “the number one health care services hub.”

The PSAC-JSG also envisioned creating 2 million jobs for “habal-habal” riders to provide transportation services with the highest safety standards, Garafil said.

Angkas Chief Executive Officer George Royeca and AC Health official, PSAC Healthcare Sector Lead Paolo Borromeo, served as the PSAC resource persons during the meeting, which was also attended by other PSAC proponents.

Also present during the meeting were Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go.

The meeting was attended by PSAC Lead Convener Sabin Aboitiz, PSAC Lead Convener Sabin Aboitiz and other members.