The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) represented by Executive Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba, and Senior Labor and Employment Officer Carl Sean E. Pablico, participated in the "Stakeholders Forum: UK Prosperity Fund Skills Programme for South-East Asia" organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), last 18-19 February at Makati Diamond Residences, Makati City.

As part of its inception phase, ILO brought together national stakeholders such as government, workers, employers, skills specialists, and key partners to discuss priorities and strategies for more productive and equitable skills and TVET systems under the UK Prosperity Fund Skills Programme for South-East Asia Project

The ILO implements the UK Prosperity Fund Skills Programme for South-East Asia (UKPFSEA) Project in three countries in South-East Asia, namely Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The programme seeks to contribute to increased capacity for inclusive growth in the Philippines through more productive and equitable skills systems and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems.

These systems are targeted to offer relevant, quality and inclusive programmes that support both industry upgrading and transformation, and improvements in employability, employment and livelihood opportunities of beneficiaries.

The ILO presented the UKPFSEA project, its objectives, anticipated results and activities; secured commitment among main project partner institutions to support implementation; and discussed current and emerging challenges and opportunities in the national TVET system and the proposed reforms, which the project seeks to support. The gathered inputs are geared to fine-tune and validate ILO’s project priorities and strategies under the said project.