Manila: The Philippines needs closer coordination among schools, businesses, and the government to equip Filipinos with skills that match industry needs and prepare them for future jobs.

According to Philippines News Agency, Michael Ralph Abrigo, a Senior Research Fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), discussed in a Bagong Pilipinas interview the importance of reforms such as kindergarten, the MATATAG Curriculum, and Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in improving student learning. Despite these efforts, Abrigo noted that many students still struggle to reach proficiency due to inadequate learning and teachers face challenges with heavy workloads and limited resources.

Abrigo emphasized the long-term negative effects on workers and the economy if these educational gaps are not addressed. He highlighted the spillover effect on employment, where inadequate education could result in lower salaries and reduced income for workers, impacting overall livelihood.

Abrigo suggested that the private sector could play a crucial role in enhancing education by supporting school infrastructure, providing teacher training, scholarships, internships, technology support, and helping schools align their curricula with industry-required skills. This collaboration could help reduce the mismatch between graduates' skills and job market demands, especially as technology continues to transform workplaces.

He also mentioned the government's existing programs for reskilling and upskilling, emphasizing the importance of life-long learning. Abrigo pointed out that the framework now extends beyond college and basic education to accommodate continuous learning due to the evolving industry needs, such as the rising demand for skills in artificial intelligence and digital technology.

Regarding the impact of AI on employment, Abrigo advised workers to build technical skills while enhancing transferable skills like leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability to meet changing industry demands. He asserted that investing in education benefits not only individual learners but also their families and the nation.