Diploma alone not enough for jobs, CHED chief says; OJT required in all degree programs

Half of the Philippines’ college graduates remain unemployed, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis said, citing skills gaps as the reason universities must now integrate on-the-job training (OJT) into all degree programs. 

Speaking at the event organized by the SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH) on August 13 at a public forum in Quezon City, Agrupis reported that out of 25,000 interviewed graduates, only 3,000 were hired. 

“It’s not because of the expertise in the field but because of the lack of soft skills, writing ability, communication skills, and critical thinking,” Agrupis said. 

She cited studies by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and feedback from employers as proof of the mismatch between higher education output and labor market needs. 

To address this gap, CHED has issued a memorandum requiring all universities to implement OJT in programs aligned with students’ fields of study.

“We are compelled to deploy our students to an industry related to their degree program,” Argupis said. 

“After finishing the required number of hours, the OJT gives feedback to us,” she added. 

The initiative allows employers to assess students’ capabilities while providing students with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a real work environment. 

Argupis added that most of them are employed after OJT. 

“But the diploma is not a guarantee for immediate employment. We always emphasize that,” she added. 

Argupis clarified that concerns about “mass promotion” in basic education fall under the Department of Education (DepEd). 

She noted that tertiary institutions maintain academic standards through entrance exams. 

She emphasized that improving higher education outcomes requires stronger foundational skills developed in earlier schooling. 

CHED is working with DepEd and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under a “tri-focalized” education framework. 

The framework aims to align academic programs with technical demands and soft skills needed by employers. 

At the forum, Agrupis presented CHED’s seven-point ACHIEVE Agenda, its strategic plan for 2025 to 2030. 

The plan includes flexible learning programs, research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a unified student data portal, and strengthened international academic collaboration.