Summary: President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday visited Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training facilities amid the government's continued push for technical-vocational education and training (TVET) in the country.  Marcos toured the TESDA Regional Training Center–National Capital Region (RTC-NCR) and the National Training Center for Women (NTCW), where he observed trainees in workshops on welding, mechatronics, and visual graphics design. He also checked partnerships with the private sector, including the TESDA-Petron Car Care Center, the TESDA-Honda Training Room, and the TESDA-Daikin Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Training Center—models of how hands-on learning is linked with industry needs. In his 2025 State of the Nation Address, Marcos underscored the growing importance of integrating tech-voc programs into senior high school to prepare students for immediate employment and lifelong learning. “Napatunayan na nating mabisa ang tech-voc... Diretso pagka-graduate, puwede na kaagad na maghanapbuhay kung gugustuhin, dahil para na rin siyang nakapag-aral sa TESDA at nakakuha ng NC II or NC III,” the President said in his SONA. (We have proven that tech-voc education works. After graduation, students can immediately find work if they choose to, as it’s as if they have already studied at TESDA and earned an NC II or NC III certification.) TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez said the President’s visit reflects the administration’s “whole-of-government” commitment to aligning education, training, and innovation with workforce demands. “TESDA’s mission goes beyond training — it is about transforming lives and preparing Filipinos for a rapidly changing world of work. With the President’s guidance, we will continue to strengthen partnerships with industry and integrate technology-driven and gender-responsive programs across all training centers,” Benitez said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News