A collaboration between the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman has been established to develop new Qualification Standards (QS) that will guide recruitment, selection, and talent development in government agencies. The agreement was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, led by CSC Chairperson Marilyn B. Yap and UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II. The signing was attended by CSC Assistant Commissioner for Human Resource Governance Hiro V. Masuda, UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) Dean Kristoffer B. Berse, Professorial Lecturer Ma. Oliva Domingo, and other officials from both institutions.

The current QS framework, based on the 1997 Qualification Standards Manual, has served as the primary reference for government recruitment and promotion for nearly three decades. Changes in governance, including the increasing use of digital tools and data-driven processes, prompted the review of the existing QS to better reflect the skills, behaviors, and expertise required for public sector positions.

The project aims to revise Qualification Standards for 1,916 occupational services through a six-phase, research-driven process. Standards for three occupational services will be developed in Year I, with the remaining 1,913 services covered in Years II and III.

The initiative is led by NCPAG Dean Kristoffer B. Berse through the Governance Reform, Innovation, and Transformation Research Laboratories (GRIT Labs), with faculty members serving as subject matter experts. The project team will:

• Conduct a review of legal and regulatory frameworks on QS;

• Benchmark Philippine standards against international models and best practices; and

• Perform a gap analysis to identify areas where existing QS do not reflect the competencies required for government roles.

Once completed, the updated Qualification Standards will provide a framework for assessing education, training, experience, and competencies. Agencies will use the standards to guide recruitment, training, and career development within government positions.