MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday signed into law the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) framework law to address the critical problem of underemployment in the country.

A priority legislation of the administration, Republic Act 12063, or EBET Framework Act, aims to institutionalize and strengthen apprenticeship programs in the country to address the mismatch between jobs and skills and develop a workforce of more qualified and globally competitive Filipino workers.

Marcos said the new law would improve the country’s employment figures with a focus on skills upgrading and development.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released the latest Labor Force Survey on Wednesday, reporting positive trends in employment and unemployment under the Marcos administration.

“I am pleased to see that our employment and unemployment rates have improved over the past three months. With this law, I am confident that we will be able to maintain and further improve these numbers,” he said during the signing ceremony of the new law in Malacañang.

“By establishing a framework on career advancement and industry-relevant skills, this law directly addresses issues related to lack of formal training and skills mismatch, thereby ensuring that every Filipino can contribute and benefit from the growth of our country. »

The President said EBET would provide Filipino workers with accessible and relevant training that would equip them with practical skills for immediate employment, targeting entry-level and mid-level skills.

“By opening pathways to professional growth, employment opportunities and entrepreneurship, we are answering the call for quality employment and fostering a globally competitive workforce,” he declared.

The law will strengthen partnerships with the private sector “to align our training programs with the real needs of the industry,” according to the president.

He explained that the EBET framework law would harmonize various approaches, including learning, leadership and the dual training system, within a coherent structure designed with inclusiveness in mind. (ANP)