DepEd, PSAC to pilot enhanced work immersion program for students

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday signed an agreement with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Jobs Committee to pilot an enhanced work immersion program.

The DepEd signed the memorandum of agreement with PSAC through the Private Sector Jobs and Skills Corporation (PCORP) at Malacañang on Thursday, which was witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the agreement was made “in an effort to boost the employability of senior high school students.”

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

The memorandum outlines an 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 lastly job fairs and matching opportunities nationwide.

READ: DepEd pushes for return of physical work immersion in SHS

Ten schools nationwide — including one specialized in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) — are slated to participate in the pilot program and may choose to focus on areas such as Information Technology and Business Process Management, tourism and hospitality, agriculture and entrepreneurship, and manufacturing.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, for his part, expressed support for the signing of the agreement.

“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,” said Angara as quoted by the PCO.

Meanwhile, PSAC Jobs Committee lead Joey Concepcion tagged the agreement as a milestone in the government’s efforts to augment the country’s workforce.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone in our efforts to prepare the next generation for the workforce. By collaborating with DepEd and industry leaders, we can ensure that our students are job-ready and equipped with the skills needed in today’s competitive job market,” Concepcion was quoted as saying.

Prior to the agreement, the PCO said the DepEd and PSAC Jobs committee had already been conducting workshops and consultations to establish guidelines for the pilot program that is set to begin in the 2024-2025 school year.

READ: K-12 adjustments considered to boost SHS grads employability – Marcos