THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – National Capital Region (TESDA NCR) gathered 1,071 job seekers and 54 participating companies for the World Café of Opportunities (WCO) on August 24 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Held as part of the 2026 National Tech-Voc Day Celebration, the event connected skilled workers with employment opportunities while unveiling the new TESDA Skills Compass.
Carrying the theme “HUSAY • TIBAY • TAGUMPAY,” the initiative delivered immediate employment results, yielding 40 job seekers hired on the spot (HOTS) and 56 classified as near-hires, bringing the initial total of successful applicants to 96.
TESDA Deputy Director General Rosanna A. Urdaneta, representing TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez, highlighted the agency’s dedicated drive to align technical-vocational training directly with evolving industry requirements.
Beyond traditional recruitment, the WCO functioned as an interactive ecosystem where Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates interviewed directly with hiring managers and examined market demand across key sectors.
A central highlight of the event was the official launch of the TESDA Skills Compass.
Designed as a strategic career navigation tool, the initiative aims to guide Filipinos toward informed choices regarding TVET training programs, upskilling, and long-term career progression tailored to real-time labor market trends.
TESDA NCR Regional Director Angelina Carreon expressed gratitude to the 54 private sector partners that made the event possible.
Participating employers spanned major growth industries, including retail, banking, construction, logistics, hospitality, manufacturing, utilities, aviation, and business process outsourcing (BPO).
Prominent participating firms included BDO Unibank, SM Retail, San Miguel Corporation subsidiaries, Foundever, 2GO Group, J&T Express, and Wilcon Depot.
The event’s mobilization was further backed by the NCR Alliance of TVET Schools Association alongside district-level associations from CaMaNaVa, Manila, Pasay, Makati, Quezon City, and surrounding cities.
Together, these organizations helped mobilize thousands of graduates and learners, reinforcing the TVET sector’s role in narrowing the divide between technical education and immediate job placement.
