Apprenticeship bill to benefit workers – Concepcion

A SENATE bill that seeks to improve apprenticeship programs for the Filipino youth will ensure that the next generation of workers will be better equipped with updated skills amid the emergence of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI), Go Negosyo founder Jose Ma. «Joey» Concepcion 3rd said on Wednesday.

Concepcion, who is also the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) lead for jobs, said that if passed, the Apprenticeship Bill will address threats faced by the country's labor force, especially those in business processing outsourcing and call centers.

«It's very important that we get the generation that's going to move into the workforce ready for that. And [we] in PSAC Jobs, one of our areas of focus is ensuring that we constantly upskill or even reskill our people. The world is changing, and with artificial intelligence, it's already here. We are using it. But that will explode even much more,» he said at the «Bagong Pilipinas» televised briefing.

«We have to prepare for the eventual AI entry. We have to provide the necessary people by either reskilling them in new areas of opportunity or upskilling them. So, that is one area that the Private Sector Advisory Council, which was formed by the President in the jobs group, is focusing on,» he added.

Under the proposed legislation, those ages 15 and above who would like to be immediately exposed to actual work via the Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) may avail of the apprenticeship program through the assistance of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, provided they pass a set of «minimum requirements.»

An apprentice will receive an allowance and a certificate upon the conclusion of their program and will no longer be required to undergo the six-month probationary period should they be hired by the company served during the program.

Companies included in the apprenticeship program will receive tax incentives from the government.

Concepcion said that state-backed apprenticeship would also greatly benefit micro, small and medium enterprises and «make them stronger to withstand any issues,» which in turn would attract more foreign investments.

This, plus mentorship, would