iPeople sees micro-credentials as a solution for PHL’s skills gap

Education firm iPeople, Inc., said micro-credentials can help bridge the skills gap in the Philippines and position Filipinos at the forefront of emerging roles and talent globally.

“Across our network, we’re transforming how education works from traditional four-year degrees to lifelong, stackable learning experiences,” iPeople, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rey Vea said in a news release.

“Micro-credentials form a new learning culture that empowers Filipino students to take control of their future careers,” she added. “Building skills and credentials they can take with them anywhere they go.”

Data from the 2025 Global Skills Index by online learning platform Coursera found that the Philippines ranked 88th globally in terms of business, technology, and data science skills.

To help upskill and foster globally competitive Filipinos, iPeople commits to providing internationally recognized and industry-aligned micro-credential offerings through its partnership with Coursera.

Completion of certifications ensures the issuance of tamper-proof, globally verifiable digital credentials.

“This is about future-building Filipino talent,” said Ms. Vea.

“Our partnership with Coursera also makes it possible for us to anticipate emerging roles, and micro-credentials can be rolled out in a timely manner,” she added.

According to CHED’s Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 1, Series of 2025, all micro-credentials nationwide must align with the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) and follow quality assurance processes to ensure transparency, portability, and industry recognition.

The agency also urged universities to implement micro-credentials in ways that are responsive to both national development goals and local workforce needs.

The firm noted that the micro-credentials offered across six iPeople schools were designed based on the Philippine Skills Framework, international skills taxonomies, World Bank studies, World Economic Forum, Coursera, and other sources.

Each certification will also be submitted to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure accreditation and acceptance worldwide.

iPeople currently has partnerships with various institutions nationwide, including Mapъa University, Mapъa Malayan Colleges Laguna, Mapъa Colleges Mindanao, Mapъa Malayan Digital College, University of Nueva Caceres, and National Teachers College. — Almira Louise S. Martinez