A major Philippine education technology start-up, Edukasyon, recently announced its partnership with the Enrique Zobel Foundation that aims to promote technical-vocational education and training (TVET) as a viable and sustainable option for young Filipinos.
The grant from the foundation enables Edukasyon to add 50 technical-vocational (tech-voc) schools across the country to its online search-and-apply platform, offering prospective students information on and access to alternative education to employment pathways.
“There is too often a notion among Filipino students that conventional degrees are the sole path toward a secure livelihood. By broadening and diversifying offerings like tech-voc on our platform, through the generous support of the Enrique Zobel Foundation, we want to show that there are different paths for different individuals and each one can lead to a successful future,” Edukasyon CEO and Founder Henry Motte-Muñoz said in a news statement.
Motte-Muñoz said the joint initiative between Edukasyon and the foundation will help ensure the young Filipinos to be more aware of the quality tech-voc choices as they are about college options, recognizing that students have varying needs, priorities and resources when planning for their future careers. In addition, he said tech-voc institutions onboarded to the platform will benefit from increased online visibility and engagement with potential enrollees.
More than 30 tech-voc schools have been added to Edukasyon’s platform to date. These include Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Women’s Center, Asian Caregiving and Technology Education Centers, Tarlac School of Arts and Trade, Davao Institute of Technical Education, and Cebu Science of Welding and Skills Technology.
Edukasyon welcomed the first batch of Manila-based tech-voc institutions to its online platform by hosting a luncheon on September 25. The representatives were briefed on completing and managing their online profiles—receiving, managing and tracking student inquiries and applications—as well as opportunities to maximize engagement through digital content.
Grace Ann Lira, Enrique Zobel Foundation’s program officer, said at the onboarding event that the foundation is developing partnerships from both private and public sectors to serve the marginalized people through education.
“We collaborate with both public and private organizations, including Edukasyon, to bring relevant changes to the communities and schools that we serve. As our founder has said, ‘the greatest social equalizer is giving quality education to the less privileged,’” Lira said.
She added: “We recognize that technical-vocational education and training plays an important role in sustainable development, and we look forward to more years of collaboration, growth and positive social impact.”
Meanwhile, Kristeljem Ann Estacio from Tesda Women’s Center said tech-voc is a viable option for students who cannot pursue four-year degree courses because of financial constraints.
“In my experience, tech-voc has been beneficial for students who may not be able to afford four-year college degrees or those who prefer to work immediately instead of studying. Edukasyon can help us gain more enrollees, especially women, and more important, advocate for tech-voc by sharing more information and access to skills training,” Estacio explained.
Launched in 2015, Edukasyon is now visited by more than 10 million students each year. In partnership with more than 500 schools and 50 corporations, and foundations, it aims to empower Filipino Gen Z to make better-informed decisions about their education, career and life.
Motte-Muñoz said Edukasyon invites partners across sectors to join in its ongoing efforts to promote and advance TVET in the country, to help young Filipinos of all backgrounds become industry-ready and equipped for a promising future.