Technical-vocational education has emerged as one of the administration’s strongest employment pipelines, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reporting on Monday that eight in every 10 TVET graduates are now finding jobs after completing their training.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address, Marcos said the placement rate for graduates of technical-vocational courses has reached 81 percent, underscoring the government’s push to align skills training with industry demand and improve employability.

The President also highlighted programs aimed at helping workers affected by economic shifts to acquire new skills. Under the Tsuper Iskolar and En-TSUPER-neur initiatives, public utility drivers are being trained in alternative livelihoods, while a joint program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) will provide livelihood training to more than 10,000 farmers and fisherfolk nationwide.

Marcos said Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has been fully integrated into the Senior High School curriculum through the Tech-Pro program, creating a ladderized pathway that allows students to enter the workforce immediately or continue toward higher education.

“Tech-Pro is now integrated into Senior High School. It is progressive and ladderized, serving as a bridge to immediate employment, as well as a stepping stone toward continuous education and training,” the President said in Filipino.

He explained that students who earn a TESDA National Certificate (NC) can use it as a foundation for a college degree. For instance, graduates of Electrical Installation and Maintenance may eventually pursue Electrical Engineering, while those who complete Caregiving may continue to Nursing.

Marcos added that the system also works in reverse, allowing college graduates to obtain an NC to shift careers or acquire practical skills for entrepreneurship.

To make training more accessible, the President said the DoLE and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have consolidated information on TVET courses, training centers, application procedures, schedules, and other requirements into a single platform.

He also cited the rollout of the TESDA Passport, a digital credential that allows workers to securely access and present their training records, calling it another step in the government’s continuing digital transformation of skills development.