R.A. No. 11230 or the Tulong-Trabaho Act | Apprentices and learners | Working conditions for special workers | LABOR STANDARDS

All-Encompassing Discussion on R.A. No. 11230 (Tulong-Trabaho Act)

Introduction and Legislative Intent
Republic Act No. 11230, commonly known as the “Tulong-Trabaho Act,” was signed into law on February 22, 2019. It represents the Philippine government’s initiative to strengthen the national workforce by narrowing the skills gap, addressing job-skill mismatches, and improving the overall employability of Filipino workers. While not an amendment to traditional apprenticeship and learnership provisions directly, the Tulong-Trabaho Act is closely related in spirit and function to the existing labor framework for special categories of workers (e.g., apprentices, learners, and trainees). It complements existing labor standards by providing an avenue for continuous skills development aligned with industry demand.

Scope and Purpose
The Tulong-Trabaho Act aims to:

1. Enhance the Philippine workforce’s competitiveness by ensuring that workers, especially those belonging to vulnerable groups or those currently unemployed, have access to quality technical-vocational education and training (TVET) programs.
2. Reduce the job-skill mismatch that plagues many industries, thus ensuring that learners and apprentices acquire competencies that are in high demand.
3. Strengthen existing apprenticeship and learnership frameworks by providing an alternative or supplementary pathway for individuals to gain the requisite skills, thereby supporting the country’s broader labor policies that promote decent work and economic growth.

Key Features of the Tulong-Trabaho Act

1. Creation of the Tulong-Trabaho Fund:

   • The Act establishes a Tulong-Trabaho Fund—an allocation specifically dedicated to financing free access to select TVET programs for qualified beneficiaries.
   • This Fund covers the cost of training, including tuition, assessment fees, and other related expenses, thereby removing the financial barriers that historically limited many Filipinos from obtaining in-demand technical skills.
   • The intent is to democratize skill acquisition, ensuring inclusivity for out-of-school youth, unemployed workers, and incumbent workers looking to shift careers or upskill.

2. Role of TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority):

   • TESDA is the principal implementing agency. It sets the standards, accredits training providers, and ensures that programs meet industry-driven competencies.
   • TESDA’s mandate includes continuous labor market analysis, guaranteeing that the training courses subsidized by the Tulong-Trabaho Fund match current and projected labor market demands.

3. Tulong-Trabaho Technical Education and Skills Development Committee (TTTSDC):

   • The law establishes the TTTSDC, a specialized committee composed of representatives from TESDA, relevant government agencies, industry boards, and other stakeholders.
   • The Committee identifies priority sectors and key skill areas where training vouchers will be focused. It ensures that public funds respond flexibly to the changing needs of the economy.

4. Training Vouchers and Beneficiaries:

   • The Act introduces a voucher system allowing beneficiaries to enroll in selected TVET programs without paying the usual costs.
   • Beneficiaries typically include unemployed individuals, marginalized groups, and employed workers seeking to adapt to new technologies or shift career paths.
   • Training vouchers are not generic; they are allocated based on labor market analysis, ensuring that learners gain skills relevant to actual vacancies and emerging opportunities.

5. Accredited Training Institutions and Quality Assurance:

   • Only TESDA-accredited institutions offering in-demand and quality-assured TVET programs are eligible to provide training under the Tulong-Trabaho Fund.
   • This ensures that the training received by apprentices, learners, and other trainees meets rigorous standards, thus promoting the production of workforce-ready graduates.

6. Industry-Driven and Demand-Based Approach:

   • The Act is highly responsive: priority courses may be updated periodically based on industry consultations, labor market trends, and emerging technologies.
   • By emphasizing industry involvement, the Tulong-Trabaho Act ensures that training leads directly to enhanced employability, improved labor standards adherence, and better working conditions once graduates enter the workforce.

Relationship to Apprentices and Learners Under Labor Law

• Apprenticeship and Learnership Context: Under the Labor Code of the Philippines and its implementing rules, apprentices and learners are special categories of workers who undergo employer-supervised training to gain competencies for eventual regular employment. These traditional programs require close employer-employee relationships, often with the company sponsoring training and providing allowances.

• Complementary Role of Tulong-Trabaho Act:

  • While the Tulong-Trabaho Act does not alter the statutory provisions for apprentices or learners, it provides a parallel or complementary pathway for individuals to acquire the skills that may later qualify them for apprenticeship or direct employment.
  • Apprentices and learners typically enter into training arrangements with a specific employer. In contrast, under the Tulong-Trabaho framework, the State shoulders the training cost, and the trainee may select from a broad range of accredited institutions and courses linked to in-demand competencies.
  • This means an aspiring apprentice might first gain foundational skills through a Tulong-Trabaho voucher-funded TVET program. Afterward, they could enter an apprenticeship arrangement with a better skills baseline, increasing their odds of secure, decent, and ultimately regular employment.

Impact on Labor Standards and Working Conditions

• Improving the Quality of Labor Supply: By producing workers who meet the industry standards from the onset, employers may be more inclined to maintain decent working conditions to retain such qualified manpower. Higher skill levels often lead to better bargaining positions for workers and potentially improved job terms.

• Facilitating Compliance and Reducing Turnover: Skilled workers who efficiently perform their jobs reduce turnover and inefficiency costs. This stable workforce environment often encourages compliance with labor standards, proper wage scales, and other social legislation. The law indirectly supports a culture of compliance and good working conditions by fostering a pool of workers valuable enough that employers invest in retaining them.

• Advancing Career Progression and Lifelong Learning: The Tulong-Trabaho Act acknowledges that skills development is not static. It supports continuous upskilling and reskilling, enabling workers to keep pace with technological advancements. As workers climb the skill ladder, they often move into roles that carry better wages, safer working conditions, and more stable employment—fundamentally enhancing labor standards within various industries.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Transparency Mechanisms

• The Act requires periodic reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of the training programs. TESDA and the TTTSDC regularly assess the efficacy of the courses offered, ensuring that public funds translate to tangible employment outcomes.
• Such oversight maintains accountability and fosters continuous improvement, ensuring that beneficiaries of the Tulong-Trabaho Program truly gain competencies that lead to viable employment options.

Conclusion
R.A. No. 11230, or the Tulong-Trabaho Act, is a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at bridging skills gaps and improving the nation’s workforce quality. While not directly modifying the provisions on apprenticeship and learnership, it strengthens the entire labor ecosystem by enhancing the competencies of workers, thus harmonizing with the objectives of labor standards and social legislation to improve working conditions. Through accessible TVET programs, industry-driven training curricula, and a supportive policy framework, the Tulong-Trabaho Act empowers apprentices, learners, and other special classes of workers to secure better, more stable employment and fosters a labor market conducive to decent and productive work.