ILO, TESDA launch online STEM in TVET curriculum guide workshop

Over 100 technical-vocational trainers in the Philippines participated in a five-day ILO- Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Online Curriculum Guide Workshop on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

News | Manila, Philippines | 04 November 2020
Over 100 technical-vocational trainers in the Philippines participated in a five-day Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Online Curriculum Guide Workshop on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Women in and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have collaborated for the workshop held on 23 October 2020 to 3 November 2020.

The ILO-TESDA Curriculum Workshop helped strengthen skills training in STEM-related TVET training programmes to prepare workers for the new normal. The Center for Integrated STEM Education (CISTEM) of the University of the Philippines led the workshop.

“We need to find ways to prepare workers for the challenges of the future of work. We need to develop responsive technical and vocational training programmes that focus on the development of STEM competencies that will prepare workers to be agile and resilient in the face of the rapid changing requirements of the workplace,” said Director Khalid Hassan of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines.

The workshop provided TVET training providers an overview of STEM pedagogies to design learning materials on STEM competencies for TVET, such as systems thinking and creative thinking.

Workshop participants included trainers from a range of sectors: information and communications technology, health, transportation, construction, health, metals, electronics, agriculture and transportation.

“We are excited to be working with the International Labour Organization on this programme that supports the TESDA vision to produce graduates who are globally competitive and 4th IR ready,” said TESDA Director-General Isidro Lapeña.

One of the key strategic directions of the TESDA National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan of 2018-22 is to provide quality technical education and skills development and certification for global competitiveness.

“To remain competitive in the changing workplace, workers should not only be able to perform the skills but must also be able to understand the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts and principles that underpin the competencies for them to be innovative, analytical and critical thinkers which are the attributes of 4th IR-ready workers,” said TESDA Director-General Lapeña.

“With rapid transformations in technology, changing dynamics of industries, and more recently, the threat of the pandemic, more than ever, we need to focus building human capabilities starting on developing STEM competencies for the workplace and for the future of work,” said ILO Director Hassan.

The ILO-TESDA STEM in TVET Workshop is organized by the ILO Women in STEM Workforce Readiness and Development Programme, with the support of JP Morgan. The programme seeks to provide women with critical soft and technical STEM-related skills, employability and leadership training coupled with targeted mentorship to help women gain quality employment and advancement opportunities in STEM-related jobs.

For further information please contact:

Ms Linartes Viloria
National Project Coordinator
Women in STEM Workforce Readiness and Development Programme
Email