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To improve Filipino citizens’ employability and bridge the gap between education and constantly expanding industries, the Philippines Senate has urged the government to step up efforts to reskill and upskill the workforce.
During a briefing on the proposed 2024 budget by the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC), the Senate praised the allocation of P9.18 billion (SGD 258 million) for programmes targeted at “increasing employability.” These initiatives include a variety of programmes and scholarships aimed at providing Filipinos with the skills needed to thrive in today’s employment environment.
According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), there is a significant gap between educational institution-produced capabilities and the demands of growing industries, notably those related to digital technology and sustainable practices. This mismatch highlights the critical necessity to assure the workforce’s employability, hence offering prospects for high-quality employment.
The importance of a reskilling and upskilling revolution in preparing the workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution was highlighted in the Senate. Upskilling entails improving existing abilities or learning new ones, whereas reskilling entails retraining workers in whole new sectors. During the budget deliberations, the proposed interventions for upskilling and reskilling will be thoroughly scrutinised.
The exact training or courses offered by different programmes, the number of beneficiaries, and the extent to which they help to achieve the goal of employment rates of 4.4% to 4.7% by 2024 are all important parts of the study.
For various reasons, digital upskilling is critical to supporting economic growth and development in the Philippines. It enables workers to fulfil the expectations of rapidly digitising businesses including information technology, business process outsourcing, banking, and e-commerce. This is necessary to keep the country competitive in the global economy.
Also, digital skills boost productivity in a variety of industries. Employees with advanced skills can automate jobs, streamline procedures, and access and analyse data more effectively, resulting in enhanced productivity.
Job creation is aided by the rising demand for experts in fields like software development, data analysis, digital marketing, and cybersecurity. The Philippines’ unemployment rate can be lowered, and new job possibilities can be generated with the aid of digital upskilling.
Additionally, having digital abilities enables people to launch their own businesses, such as an online shop, a tech startup, or a freelancing career. This encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, which helps the economy grow and diversify.
A workforce with advanced digital skills is also essential to the Philippines’ reputation as a location for international outsourcing and offshoring services. Knowledge of digital tools and technologies guarantees the nation’s ability to offer high-quality services, attracting foreign customers and improving the economy.
Further, a workforce with digital skills is a draw for foreign investors wishing to start up or grow operations in the Philippines. It shows how dedicated the nation is to innovation and how prepared it is to take part in the global digital economy.
By giving people from all backgrounds the chance to access high-paying digital professions, digital upskilling can also aid in reducing economic inequality. As a result, wealth and opportunities are distributed in a more egalitarian manner.
The Philippine government has announced several strategies to support the development of the digital economy and digital transformation. The successful implementation of these initiatives, which aim to enhance infrastructure, public services, and government, depends on a workforce that is technologically proficient.
