1K delegates to attend Asean skills competition in Manila
AROUND 1,000 delegates, including 300 competitors from 11 member-states of the Asean region, are slated to arrive in Manila to participate in the upcoming WorldSkills Asean Manila 2025, according to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
The biennial WorldSkills Asean competition brings together talented youth from across Southeast Asia to demonstrate their expertise in a wide range of skills, aiming to elevate vocational and technical skill standards in the Asean region to meet global benchmarks, while inspiring young people to pursue excellence in their chosen fields.
In a statement on Friday, Tesda said that the international event marks a new chapter for the country’s technical vocational education and training (TVET) sector.
Tesda Director-General Jose Francisco Benitez. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
Manila last hosted WorldSkills nearly 30 years ago, and will be held from August 26 to 28 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
According to Tesda Director-General Jose Francisco Benitez, the event is not only an event for TVET, but also to advance youth employment, industrial innovation, and regional cooperation.
“WorldSkills is more than just a competition — it is a celebration of young talent, an opportunity to set new benchmarks of excellence, and a source of inspiration for future generations. The Philippines is ready to prove that its skilled workforce is not just Asean-ready but globally competitive,” Benitez added.
Competitors will showcase their talents and competencies in skill areas such as Cyber Security, Information Network Cabling, Internet of Things (IoT), IT Network Systems Administration, IT Software Solutions for Business, Web Technologies, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Wall and Floor Tiling, 3D Digital Game Art, Fashion Technology, and Graphic Design Technology.
Other skill areas to be competed upon also include Autonomous Mobile Robotics, CNC (computer numerical control) Maintenance, Electronics, Mechanical Engineering CAD (computer-aided design), Mechatronics, Welding, Bakery, Beauty Therapy, Cooking, Hairdressing, Hotel Reception, Restaurant Service, Cabinet Making, Electrical Installations, Industrial Automation, Automobile Technology, Carpentry, Plumbing and Heating, and Industrial Control.
For the first time, the event will also feature Collaborative Robot and Systems Integration and Industry 4.0 for the first time in the competition.
Through Tesda, the Philippines has remained an active participant in the event that showcased the country’s commitment to aligning its tech-voc training programs with international standards, as aligned with the Marcos government’s commitment to producing a multi-skilled and globally competitive workforce.
In the 13th WorldSkills Asean Competition held in Singapore, the Philippine team won one silver medal and three Medallions for Excellence, which, Tesda noted is “a testament to the growing global competitiveness of Filipino skilled workers.”