THAT there is a mismatch between what our colleges and universities offer and what industry needs has long been known.Then and now, the most sought-after course is the generic business administration degree. Only in the last few years has this course seen a differentiation in terms of majors, whether in general management, accounting, marketing or financial management. There is a catch-up initiative going on, with some colleges offering 'entrepreneurship,' which is what the country needs.This was bound to change. Last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act, or Republic Act 12063. The law seeks to address the persistent issues of job mismatches and to build a highly-skilled, globally competitive Filipino workforce.This is a priority mandate of the Marcos administration, and rightly so. RA 12063, or the EBET Act, aims to address the issue of job-skills mismatch that has hindered many Filipinos from securing employment or better-paying jobs.'In signing the EBET Framework Act into law, we lay a stronger foundation for a workforce that is agile, skilled, and ready to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world,' Marcos said at the law's ceremonial signing in Malacañang.'By establishing a framework on career advancement and industry-relevant skills, this law directly addresses the issues of the lack of formal training and skill mismatches, ensuring that every Filipino can contribute to and benefit from our nation's growth,' he added.The President said that the EBET would provide Filipino workers with accessible and relevant skills training that bridges the individuals' capabilities with the demands of industry.It is important to synchronize the skills training of our students with the actual requirements of industry and the labor market. There is also a need for a better synergy between the private and the public worlds.If the law is implemented fully and well, then our students or trainees who are finished with their training can already have available spaces waiting for them in the labor market.For those seeking further advancement, the EBET's provides apprenticeship programs that will offer specialized training to build higher-level competencies. There will be collaboration with technical-vocational institutions to ensure these standards remain relevant and consistently updated. In this way, the trainees are prepared for future roles in sectors that experience rapid technological advancement. One of these is artificial intelligence, which is swiftly reshaping the way we work.To fast-track the law's implementation, fiscal incentives will be given to enterprises that will implement the EBET programs. This includes a deduction from their taxable income equivalent to 50 percent of the actual training expenses.Donations or financial aid for technical-vocational institutions or for the conduct of an EBET program as certified by the Technical Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will also be exempted from some taxes and duties. A one-stop shop portal will also be set up to avail of these incentives.To support micro and small enterprises, the government will introduce EBET support integrators that would guide these businesses in analyzing market trends, design training plans, and organize documentation. This will ensure that even the smallest businesses can provide high-quality and industry-aligned training for our students.This is a structured pathway for our trainees to have employment and career progression. Beyond certifications from Tesda and their technical-vocational institutions, they will also gain real-world experience and ensure they are ready to hit the ground running when they are employed.Senate President Francis Escudero also welcomed the passage of the EBET Act. He said it 'is a crucial step in bridging the gap between education and industry and preparing the Filipino workforce to meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.'Currently, aside from business administration, our students' other favorite college courses include computer engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering and medicine.On the other hand, the most in-demand courses that offer significant potential earnings are the following: nursing for the health-care industry, computer programming, content creation for web services, graphic arts and data analysis.The need for nurses for people and computer programmers and data analysts for industry will always be constant. The need for content creators should consider the changes being wrought by AI. Their training should integrate text with images — less text and more dynamic visuals for a new generation of media consumers.The world has changed, and those who do not adjust their workforce to the winds of change will be left behind.
