Work immersion
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Work immersion in the Philippines is an integral part of the country's K–12 educational system. It is a mandatory on-the-job training program for graduating senior high school students. Rooted in both educational reform and cultural values, this program reflects the Philippines' broader efforts to align education with employability and national development.
History
Educational reform and K–12 implementation
The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10533) introduced the K–12 curriculum, adding two years of senior high school (Grades 11 and 12). As part of this reform, work immersion was mandated to help students:
- Acquire practical experience in their chosen tracks (e.g., STEM, ABM, TVL)
- Develop soft and technical skills
- Strengthen career readiness
Before this reform, the Philippine education system offered only 10 years of basic education, which was seen as insufficient for global workforce competitiveness. Work immersion was included to close this gap and mirror international standards. At the collegiate level, there are also on-the-job (OJT) trainings.
Strengthened SHS Program
In the Strengthened SHS Program the Department of Education decreased the offered tracks into the Technical-Professional (TechPro) Track and the Academic Track. Under the new curriculum the maximum number of hours for work immersion is increased from 320 to 640 hours depending on the track.
Partners
The Department of Education relies on partnerships in the implementation of the work immersion.
On August 8, 2024, the Department of Education signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Private Sector Advisory Council.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
In 2025, an agreement was signed with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for work immersion.
Jollibee Group
In 2025, the Department of Education signed with Jollibee Group for the development of a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) curriculum with a component on work immersion.
On January 15, 2026, the Senior High School (SHS) Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Tech Pro elective was launched during the DepEd SHS QSR Curriculum and Work Immersion Workgroup Kickoff.
Australian Government
In July 2026, the Education Quality for Inclusive Prosperity (EQUIP) Program was launched by DepEd and Australian Government to support the work immersion through the partnership of Philippine schools and Australian institutions.
See also
References
- ↑ "DO 30, s. 2017 – Guidelines for Work Immersion | Department of Education". Department of Education. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- 1 2 Macalintal, Irene; De Chavez, Criselda (6 January 2020). "Assessing the Senior High School Work Immersion with Partner Industries: Basis for Supervisory Work Plan". JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research. 39 (1): 112–129. doi:10.7719/jpair.v39i1.763. ISSN 2244-0445. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Republic Act No. 10533 Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 | PDF | Vocational Education | Curriculum". Scribd. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- ↑ Llego, Mark Anthony (2017-06-07). "DepEd Guidelines for Senior High School Work Immersion". TeacherPH. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- ↑ Malang, Jan Ryan (12 December 2018). "Relevance of Work Immersion". Sun.Star Pampanga. Retrieved 21 June 2025 – via PressReader.
- ↑ "No more strands? DepEd opens new draft senior high curriculum for feedback". The Philippine STAR.
- ↑ "New TechPro SHS track to address tech-voc challenges - TESDA". 23 October 2025.
- ↑ "Strengthened SHS Program". Department of Education.
- ↑ "DepEd Rolls Out Strengthened Senior High School Curriculum". SunStar. 5 March 2026.
- ↑ "DepEd banks on partnerships for SHS work immersion". The Philippine STAR.
- ↑ "DepEd, PSAC ink work immersion deal for SHS". The Philippine STAR.
- ↑ "DepEd, PSAC to pilot enhanced work immersion program for students". 8 August 2024.
- ↑ "DepEd, PSAC ink deal for work immersion program". 8 August 2024.
- ↑ "DepEd, PCCI to boost K-12 graduates' employability". The Philippine STAR.
- ↑ "DepEd, Jollibee partner to strengthen SHS curriculum, build 50 classrooms by 2028". Manila Bulletin. 28 August 2025.
- ↑ "DepEd partners with Jollibee Group, other firms for SHS curriculum development". SunStar. 27 August 2025.
- ↑ "Jollibee Group, DepEd to Co-Develop Senior High School QSR Curriculum and Work Immersion Program".
- ↑ "PH, Australia launch P1.6-B EQUIP to produce job-ready senior high grads". 21 July 2026.
- ↑ "Australia launches EQUIP aid". BusinessWorld. 21 July 2026.