DepEd Secures Nearly 48,000 Work Immersion Slots for SHS Learners

News | National Posted on 2026-09-23 14:18:50

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) has secured nearly 48,000 work immersion slots for Senior High School (SHS) learners as the nationwide implementation of its strengthened workplace training program gets underway.

DepEd said Wednesday that 47,439 work immersion slots, equivalent to about 95 percent of its 50,000 target, have been committed by private-sector partners under the agency’s 2026 National Work Immersion Fair.

The nationwide rollout followed the official launch of the program on Sept. 11 at the SMX Olongapo City Convention Center in Zambales.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative is intended to ensure that students gain practical workplace experience that is aligned with current industry requirements.

“We are following the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to ensure our graduates enter the workforce with real competence and practical experience,” Angara said.

He added that stronger collaboration with private-sector partners would help promote innovation and global competitiveness while ensuring that students receive safe and industry-relevant training.

The available immersion opportunities cover 1,565 distinct job roles across various industries, including accommodation and food services, education, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and administrative support services.

DepEd said the range of opportunities is designed to strengthen learners’ practical skills and improve their readiness for employment after graduation.

To monitor industry participation, the department has also operationalized the National Work Immersion Pledging Dashboard, which tracks partner commitments and provides real-time information on available immersion opportunities.

The program forms part of DepEd’s Strengthened Senior High School curriculum, which streamlines SHS into Academic and Technical-Professional (TechPro) tracks and introduces structured work immersion models.

Under the TechPro track, learners may undergo 320 hours of work immersion in one term, or as much as 540 to 640 hours across two terms, depending on the program.

Academic track learners may undertake a 320-hour work immersion, an 80- to 160-hour arts apprenticeship, or an 80-hour field exposure program.

DepEd has also established limits on immersion schedules to safeguard students’ welfare. Learners may undergo a maximum of eight hours per day and 40 hours per week, following flexible five-day work schedules.

Participating companies are subject to screening and validation procedures, including industry mapping, workplace inspections, verification of business permits and registration, and compliance with the DepEd Child Protection Policy.

The department will also conduct weekly “Kumustahan” mentoring sessions to monitor learners’ physical and emotional well-being, assess compliance with their training plans and address workplace concerns.

For assessment, 80 percent of the learners’ performance rating will come from industry mentors, while the remaining 20 percent will be based on school evaluation.

DepEd said the strengthened work immersion program is intended to provide students with meaningful workplace exposure while supporting pathways toward Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) National Certification qualifications and completion of the SHS diploma.

NPO NEWS TEAM | PNA-PR

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