THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) have signed the guidelines for the implementation of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act that would equip Filipino workers with needed skills to compete on the global stage.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Tesda Director General Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the EBET Law, which is among the priority measures of the Marcos administration.

Laguesma said the IRR establishes a structured collaboration between Tesda, enterprises, and technical-vocational education and training (TVET) institutions to ensure that the country's workforce is equipped with relevant competitive skills to increase employability and bridge the gap between education and industry.

Benitez said the EBET Framework Act "is a landmark, transformative law that allows us to keep pace with the evolving job market here and abroad."

"The IRR, crafted by Tesda and stakeholders in a judicious process, carves the path for the Filipino worker to upskill and reskill towards gainful careers," added Benitez.

The EBET Framework Act, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last November 2024, is designed to expand enterprise-based training opportunities, encourage industry participation in curriculum development and theoretical instruction, and enhance on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs.

The law also provides that incentives will be provided to the participating enterprises, including an additional deduction from their taxable income equivalent to 50 percent of actual training expenses, which shall go up to 75 percent in 2028.

It aligns with the government's job creation agenda anchored on the Philippine Development Plan and Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028.

DOLE plays a crucial role in ensuring that workforce development policies, such as the EBET Framework, directly contribute to job creation and economic stability.

With the IRR now in place, Laguesma said the DOLE will work closely with Tesda and industry partners to integrate enterprise-based training into national employment strategies to further reinforce the pathway from training to gainful employment.