With the recent signing of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act, the Philippines has taken a significant step toward improving work-based learning and enhancing employability for Filipinos. This groundbreaking initiative focuses on structured, enterprise-based training programs designed to prepare the workforce of tomorrow.
As a digital platform dedicated to bridging education and employment, OJT Connect is uniquely positioned to support the implementation of this law. Through its scalable solution, OJT Connect connects students and career shifters with meaningful on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities while helping businesses build a stronger talent pipeline.
The EBET Framework Act seeks to establish industry-aligned internships that cater especially to students in rural areas. OJT Connect’s platform supports this vision by streamlining access to structured training programs that meet the new standards, enabling companies to provide meaningful internships and students to apply seamlessly.
Since its launch in March 2024, OJT Connect has made remarkable progress. The platform has partnered with seven colleges and universities, including four campuses of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Bicol University, Pangasinan State University, and Manila Times College. Over 1,500 students have participated in onsite and virtual workshops, gaining exposure to invaluable industry experiences.
“Our platform was built to address the very challenges that the EBET Framework Act aims to solve—ensuring accessibility, industry relevance, and efficiency in work-based learning,” said Romel Romero, founder of OJT Connect.
Romero, a proud Filipino based in San Diego, California, is set to visit the Philippines this March to meet with stakeholders who share his mission to improve workforce development. During a recent discussion with Philippine Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer in San Francisco, he emphasized the critical role of accessible, high-quality internships in building a globally competitive workforce.
With the EBET Framework Act now in place, OJT Connect remains committed to empowering students, career shifters, and women in tech. By collaborating with institutions, employers, and government agencies, it aims to create an ecosystem where training programs are matched with qualified applicants—ensuring that businesses and students alike reap the benefits of work-based learning opportunities.