The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), headed by OIC-Executive Director Mary Grace L. Riguer and OIC-Deputy Executive Director Stephanie B. Tabladillo, participated in the preparatory meeting for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High Level Policy Dialogue on Human Capacity Building (HLPD-HCB) held in Subic Freeport Zone from February 02 to 04 as a lead up to the main event on 06-07 May 2015 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The pre-meeting, chaired by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Deputy Director General Irene M. Isaac, convened APEC members to discuss the two-day program for the HLPD-HCB where key industry players, academe and government are expected to share best practices in developing a 21st century-ready workforce, aligning education to industry needs, and enhancing productivity of SMEs.

Guided by the APEC 2015 theme of “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World” and recognizing the importance of partnership among government, education and the private sector, APEC member economies, constituted under the Human Resource Development Working Group called for greater action in investing in human capital development as essential to inclusive development.

APEC is a grouping of 21 member economies with the objective of sustaining the growth and development of the region to contribute to the growth and development of the world economy.

As the host economy for 2015 APEC meetings, the Philippines has been leading discussions on four (4) priority areas: Investing in Human Capital Development; Fostering Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) Participation in Regional and Global Economy; Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities; and Enhancing the Regional Economic Integration Agenda.

The Institute for Labor Studies is the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment. For more information on this story, please contact Mr. Reinerio A. Alba of the Advocacy and Publications Division, Institute for Labor Studies, Telephone Nos. 527-3490/527-3447)