Skills development & lifelong learning

TESDA collaborates with ILO to hold meeting on application of XR technology in TVET delivery

The meeting aims to present innovative XR-enabled solutions for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) delivery, lifelong learning and skills development.

Press release | Manila, The Philippines | 19 April 2023
Gearing up for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Philippines' Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) collaborates with the International Labour Organization (ILO)—through its International Training Centre (ITCILO) and the United Kingdom government-funded Skills for Prosperity Programme in the Philippines(SfP-Philippines)— to hold the three-day Manila Skills Experts’ Meeting on emerging Extended Reality (XR) technologies which kicked off on April 18.

The event is organized in partnership with the Inter-Agency Council for Development and Competitiveness of Philippine Digital Workforce, the European Training Foundation, and other local and international stakeholders.

The meeting aims to present innovative XR-enabled solutions for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) delivery, lifelong learning and skills development and facilitate detailed discussion among national stakeholders on how best apply these solutions to the context of the Philippines.

Present during the meeting are high-level public policymakers, local lifelong learning -focused authorities, TVET and academia experts, industry representatives, and XR technology developers.

Cezar Dragutan, SfP-Philippines Chief Technical Advisor mentioned that in the process of developing strategies addressing digitalization and adoption of the lead, most advanced digital technologies, the TVET and skills systems must necessarily ensure that uneven access to equipment, tools and skills, does not marginalize disadvantaged groups and worsen the digital divide.

He further pointed out that National TVET and skills systems do need to build in the agility to respond to demands for new skills from our increasingly digital society and enterprises. They do have to engage in digital transformation and in addressing the challenges such transformation imposes on involved institutions, staff and learners.

TESDA Director General Danilo P. Cruz, said the meeting will also provide a platform for stakeholders to work multilaterally, and for them to review together the emerging XR technologies and solutions to identify areas for potential adoption in the Philippines.

“The meeting shall provide an avenue for the enhancement and development of new solutions in the context of the evolving XR technologies and reflect on how these can be implemented both for education and for industry-focused skills-related purposes,” he said.

The three-day activity also includes a one-day “hackathon” for the participants to draw up action-oriented technology solutions to the challenges that will be presented. This should facilitate the development of joint initiatives that respond to local needs.

Earlier in December and March, as a prelude to this Skills Experts’ Meeting, preparatory meetings were held. In the March 14 meeting, participants were requested to provide initial inputs on the vision and challenges of adopting the XR technology through individual and group workshops.

As a result, the key challenges were categorized into cost, connectivity, training of trainers/facilitators, content/curriculum development, enabling environment, user experience, assessment and certification, and industry experience.

“TESDA continues to respond to the challenges brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution As such, we are doing this kind of collaboration with the local and international stakeholders to make sure that our programs and services are responsive to the technological advancements,” the TESDA Chief emphasized.

Alistair White, the British Deputy Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau, said that as levels of investment in EdTech across the globe continue to increase rapidly, the UK recognises the importance of evidence-based and strategic engagement with EdTech to advance the future of learners, especially young women and girls and those from marginalised groups. He emphasized that EdTech investments should be made in ways that lead to gains in learning outcomes and stronger education systems, and that address existing inequalities.

Mr. White said: “Edtech has become an important part of learning. The UK is proud to support the TESDA and the whole-of-government initiative of the Inter-Agency Council for Development and Competitiveness of Philippine Digital Workforce to provide Filipinos access to lifelong learning technologies to acquire digital skills that make them job-ready.”

Meanwhile, the Skills Experts’ Meeting, which is being held at Green Sun Hotel in Makati City, is also attended by TESDA Deputy Directors General Rosanna Urdaneta, Aniceto Bertiz III, and Vidal Villanueva III, other TESDA officials, and international stakeholders.