Featured image above shows some of the close to 2,200 TVET graduates as they take advantage of over 4,000 job offerings by 65 companies at the TESDA National Tech-Voc Day 2026 celebrations. (Photo: SDN)
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SM MALL OF ASIA, Pasay City, August 24, 2026 (SDN) — Here today, Monday, at Music Hall over 2,200 TVET graduates have a field day hunting for work amidst an offering of over 4,000 jobs from 65 companies.
For this is the “2026 National Tech-Voc Day through the World Cafe of Opportunities” being celebrated by the National Capital Region of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA-NCR) headed by Regional Director Angelina “Leni” M. Carreon.
At the event’s conclusion, the agency reported 40 jobseekers were hired on the spot (HOTS), with other applicants apparently awaiting decisions from companies they applied with for possible employment.
Pasay Mayor Calixto-Rubiano cites continued partnership with TESDA
More than 2,200 graduates — everyone boosted by their National Certificates (NC) from TESDA that sometimes work like magic. All of them have completed a technical-vocational education and training (TVET). There were also walk-in applicants, including graduates of four-year courses who came to try their luck.
The event also saw the launch of TESDA Skills Compass designed to assist “users discover (TVET) programs and match their skill sets with real-time industry demands and job opportunities” as explained in Google’s AI Overview. In a nutshell, it’s a tool for diagnostic assessment and career-guidance as it was crafted “to measure an individual’s foundational strengths, personal interests, and competencies.”
To recall, Republic Act No. 10970 established August 25 as the National Tech-Voc Day (the National Tech-Voc Day Act) which was put into law on February 7, 2018. Appropriately, TESDA was founded on August 25, 1994. The Tech-Voc Act’s main goal is to promote the importance of TVET, and make it more popular among Filipino youth as their passport to a good-paying employment, either in the country or abroad.
It also seeks to give due recognition to tech-voc workers’ vital contributions to the Filipino nation’s economy and nation-building.
TESDA-NCR and the Pasay City local government under the leadership of Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano hosted the day-long observance. She was one of the key dignitaries present. Another dignitary was SM Supermalls Vice President Royston Cabunyag.
Calixto-Rubiano and Cabunyag noted the event’s significance in promoting and making TVET more widely accepted by the youth.
“Today is about highlighting the importance of technical-vocational education sa pagbuo ng isang mas matatag, produktibo at handang (in molding a stronger, productive, and ready) workforce. Dahil (Because) these days, ‘knowing’ is never enough. More than ‘knowing’, mahalaga (important) is doing at syempre (and of course), ‘teaching’. Exactly what today’s event is about,” the lady mayor noted.
Speaking in Taglish, Calixto-Rubiano likened the TESDA Skills Compass to a real Compass as it serves as guide to the youth, workers, jobseekers, as well as those who want to change career. “It will help them identify the skills they already possess, determine the competencies they still need, and choose training pathways that respond to the demands of today’s industries,
Thus, she emphasized, the government by way of the World Cafe of Opportunities is bringing employment, training, certification, and livelihood opportunities closer to the people.
Calixto-Rubiano emphasized further the city’s contributions in the employability of the youth, saying that Pasay “has always been at the forefront of training and ‘upskilling’.”
Close to her speech’s conclusion, the mayor assured her administration’s continued commitment in working side by side with TESDA in widening access to quality and industry-responsive skills training.
Calixto-Rubiano said Pasay will continue bringing to Pasay residents programs that give real opportunities to the youth, out-of-school youth, unemployed and underemployed workers, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other sectors needing support. — EDD K. USMAN (π)
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