Youth unemployment continues to be a barrier to genuine economic progress in the Philippines. The number of unemployed Filipinos aged 15–24 was predicted to be 4.6 million in July 2020. This was 2.1 million more than in July 2019, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the education and employment sectors, as well as negative consequences on students' transitions to work.

Work immersion prepares Senior High School students for all curriculum exits by allowing them to become familiar with the workplace, simulate employment, and use their competencies in areas of specialization or applied studies in a real-world setting.

“We are strongly suggesting that Work Immersion should be implemented for the Senior High School learners as they are nearest to accomplishing their post-secondary goals and dreams,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

Students who have undergone work immersion during pandemic says that they didn’t have full experience on work immersion since they are subjected to the guidelines and health care protocols which means that they have limited hands-on experience.

This will serve as an eye opener for the students to see how lucky they are to have this program that aimed at developing our competencies and skills. The program might also be a motivation for the students to face the reality of life and to have a positive insight about it. The SHS students hope to utilize their experiences as inspiration and weapons in the future, believing that experience is the best teacher we can have.

This petition will help the students get more experience and have more knowledge on hands-on work that are related to their career path. SHS students can also have the opportunity to experience the industry based on their chosen specializations.

References:

Work Immersion Program – Philippines

DepEd supports resumption of physical work immersion for SHS in face-to-face classes