Manila: The Philippines is currently preparing to host the 14th WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) announced on Tuesday. TESDA's Public Information Division told the Philippine News Agency that they are targeting to hold the contest in August, but there is no definite date and venue yet.

According to Philippines News Agency, delegates from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states recently gathered in the Philippines to lay the groundwork for the competition. They discussed the guidelines, skill areas, and the overall framework to enhance the competition's quality and impact. The meeting also marked the acceptance of Timor-Leste as the newest member of the WorldSkills ASEAN family, TESDA said.

'WorldSkills is more than a competition - it is a celebration of young talent, an opportunity to set new benchmarks of excellence, and a source of inspiration for future generations,' TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez was quoted as saying. 'Our young and dynamic population is a key driver of innovation and industry growth. To fully capitalize on this demographic advantage, we must invest in education and workforce development. That is why this gathering is so important,' Benitez added.

The first WorldSkills ASEAN event in the Philippines was held in 1996. TESDA said the ASEAN is on track to become the fourth-largest economy in the world by 2030, making skills development crucial to sustaining economic growth. Aside from the Philippines, other ASEAN members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.