TESDA and Bayan Family of Foundations Advance Green TVET for a SustainABLE Filipino Workforce

The Bayan Family of Foundations (BFF) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) formally sealed their partnership for Project SustainABLE, reaffirming their commitment to preparing Filipinos for a greener future of work. 

“In TESDA, our mission has always been to empower Filipinos through skills training. Pero sa 21st century, hindi na sapat ang traditional skills lamang. With the unprecedented effects of climate change reshaping industries and communities, the future of work now demands what we call green skills and green competencies,” said Secretary Kiko Benitez, Director General of TESDA. He emphasized that developing a skilled workforce must go hand in hand with advancing responsible stewardship. 

“Hindi na sapat na skilled lang ang ating workforce. Kailangan environmentally responsible din. That is why our TVET system must evolve to prepare a workforce that can thrive in a greener, more sustainable, and inclusive economy.”

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Through Project SustainABLE, BFF is helping develop TESDA’s institutional capacity to lead the country’s green workforce development, in line with its national mandate. This will translate into improved Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curricula, deeper sectoral engagement, and systems that position TESDA to be fully prepared for a green and sustainable future. 

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Partners for Inclusive Growth

Speaking on behalf of the Bayan Family of Foundations, Prof. Carlo Sagun, President and CEO of BFF, recognized the systemic work that has been put into building TESDA’s capacity over the last decade to make a real impact for the Filipino workforce nationwide. 

“Bayan Family of Foundations has been privileged to become a part of the entire TESDA ecosystem through the years – from the strategic halls of the Central Office to the dynamic regional and provincial offices, the dedicated institutions on the ground and the industries that we serve. This end-to-end engagement is what allows us to translate high-level policy into tangible impact on the ground.”

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Critical to this long-standing partnership is the steadfast support of J.P. Morgan, which has allowed TESDA and BFF to pioneer strategic, system-level initiatives, including area-based and demand-driven TVET and a Knowledge Management roadmap for TESDA — ensuring that training programs align directly with industry needs.

“J.P. Morgan’s belief in our shared vision for inclusive economic growth has enabled the innovations that we have championed together as partners. They are a true example of corporate social responsibility in action,” said Prof. Sagun.

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Green TVET and the Future of Work

With the launch of Project SustainABLE, the collaboration enters a vital chapter. It will drive the development of green skills and competencies, sectoral action plans to guide curriculum and policy reforms, and a core group of TESDA Green Skills Champions to scale the green economy agenda – all of which builds on the partners’ foundational work and aims to institutionalize the innovations that they have begun. 

“Green TVET is not a side project. It is the future,” said Prof. Sagun. “It is our collective commitment to preparing the Filipino workforce for a sustainable and competitive economy.”

The project will focus on six priority sectors identified under the National Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan: renewable energy, construction, transportation, ecotourism, manufacturing, and sustainable agriculture and fisheries.

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Building a Resilient Workforce for a Sustainable Philippines

As the partners move to deliver this next phase, Prof. Sagun expressed hope for continuing collaboration and the shared work of nation-building.

“As we begin this new chapter, our prayer is for continuity—the continuity of our partnership, our shared innovations, and our belief that through technical education and skills development, we are not just building a workforce, but building a nation, together.”

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BFF extends its deepest gratitude to TESDA, J.P. Morgan, our industry partners, and our advocates who have championed Green TVET. Together, we are committed to building a green, resilient, and sustainable Philippines.