The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is partnering with Microsoft Philippines to narrow the digital divide and provide employment opportunities for over 1.2 million technical-vocational education and training Filipino students.

As the government agency tasked to provide direction, policies, and programs towards quality technical education and skill development, TESDA's collaboration with Microsoft Philippines is grounded on utilizing Microsoft technology to develop a digital skills program that focuses on driving career-readiness and employability for all learners, responding to workforce industry standards, and strengthening collaboration between multiple stakeholders across sectors.

"TESDA remains committed to boosting the local technical-vocational education and training sector to help address the challenges brought by the digital age. By expanding our partnerships and being open to collaboration, we can ensure that the training we provide is of the highest and most competitive standards," explained TESDA secretary/director general Suharto Mangudadatu.

"We foresee that this partnership will provide opportunities for the digital skilling of TVET learners, as well as provide a platform to explore possible frameworks, structures, and strategies to support the technical development of our next-generation workforce," Secretary Mangudadatu added.

The program aims to provide TVET learners with access to resources and curriculum that will enable them to upskill and gain the necessary certifications in cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence, productivity, and digital literacy. These resources can be accessed on Microsoft platforms such as Microsoft Learn, a platform that includes a Microsoft Fundamentals curriculum to provide a base-level understanding of the cloud and business applications; Microsoft Learn for Educators, a program that allows educators to utilize Microsoft Official Curriculum and other significant training materials to help build their students' technical skills; and LinkedIn Learning, a platform that contains on-demand video courses taught by industry leaders.

Meanwhile, TESDA will provide its students with a space to develop the digital skills needed for their identified career paths — from working on technical and technology-enabled certifications to building their network and professional profile via LinkedIn — and monitor their growth throughout the program. TESDA will also encourage learners to make the most out of available Microsoft technology for upskilling, future-preparedness, and workforce readiness.

TESDA and Microsoft Philippines formally formalized their five-year partnership during the TESDA 29th anniversary celebration at SM Megamall, among leaders, administrators, and industry partners. Present at the event were TESDA deputy directors General Rosanna Urdaneta, Aniceto Bertiz III, and Vidal Villanueva III, as well as Microsoft Philippines' Director of Public Sector Business, Joanna Rodriguez, Regional Industry Advisor for Education, Clarissa Segismundo and Head of Philanthropies, Trysh Banson.