TESDA Unveils Blockchain Skills Passport for Workers

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority  (Philippines) has launched the Skills Passport mobile application, introducing a blockchain-powered system designed to verify training credentials and skills records for Filipino workers. The initiative positions blockchain as a tool for ensuring the authenticity and integrity of vocational certifications, while also supporting digital transformation across public services. The rollout was presented as a milestone in improving employment access and strengthening trust between workers, training institutions, and employers.

The launch was led by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the San Juan National Government Center. The administration framed the app as a central component of its broader strategy to modernize government platforms and invest in education and workforce development. Officials indicated that public funding had been allocated to support digital systems that strengthen training outcomes and improve job readiness.

A Unified Digital Platform for Skills and Employment

TESDA described the Skills Passport as an all-in-one digital platform that consolidates training credentials, skills documentation, and employment opportunities. The system uses blockchain technology to make records tamper-proof, allowing employers to verify certificates with confidence. By ensuring that information presented to recruiters cannot be altered, the platform aims to enhance the credibility of vocational education across the country.

The app is designed to serve both workers and employers. Trainees from TESDA-accredited institutions can access their National Certificates, review scholarship options, enroll in online training programs, and explore available job listings. For employers, the platform offers a secure environment to confirm the authenticity of certifications and validate the identities of TESDA scholars, reducing the risk of credential fraud.

Leadership and Interagency Participation

The launch event brought together senior officials from across the education and governance sectors. Alongside the president, TESDA Secretary Francisco Benitez, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, and Representative Ysabel Maria Zamora were present. Their participation underscored the cross-agency collaboration behind the project and its alignment with national workforce priorities.

Government leaders emphasized that education and skills development are foundational to long-term economic progress. By adopting blockchain, the administration aims to demonstrate transparency and reliability in public-sector data systems, particularly those that directly affect employment outcomes.

AI-Driven Job Matching and Regional Access

Beyond credential verification, the Skills Passport integrates artificial intelligence through an in-app chatbot. TESDA explained that this tool is designed to respond to user inquiries, guide trainees through available services, and provide job-matching support. Acting as a regional job portal, the AI component connects students and graduates with employers across different parts of the country, helping bridge gaps between training providers and industry demand.

The platform is intended to function as a digital bridge linking students, graduates, employees, and recruiters nationwide. By combining blockchain-secured records with AI-powered matching, TESDA aims to improve workforce mobility and ensure that skills development translates more directly into employment opportunities.

Blockchain Adoption Across Government

The Skills Passport launch also reflects a broader trend of blockchain adoption across all branches of the Philippine government. In the judiciary, the Supreme Court of the Philippines introduced a five-year strategic plan in late 2025 to digitize court operations, including the use of blockchain to secure judicial records and artificial intelligence to support legal research.

Within the executive branch, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines has partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to train patent examiners on blockchain-based intellectual property management. On the legislative side, the House of Representatives of the Philippines has announced initiatives to digitize legislative processes through blockchain-enabled platforms.

At the local level, Baguio City has piloted a governance system known as GoodGovChain, aimed at streamlining municipal services using blockchain infrastructure.

Implications for Workforce Development

TESDA’s Skills Passport represents a significant step in aligning workforce development with emerging technologies. By securing credentials through blockchain and enhancing job matching with AI, the platform seeks to raise confidence in vocational training while expanding employment pathways. As blockchain adoption accelerates across government institutions, the Skills Passport highlights how digital tools can be applied to practical, citizen-facing services that directly impact livelihoods.

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