The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is set to introduce an AI-focused training initiative in October, aiming to upskill Filipinos for emerging industry opportunities and position the country as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and smart technologies.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is set to launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tech Academy in October, aiming to upskill the workforce within economic zones and equip Filipinos with advance...
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d AI competencies. PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga announced that the academy, a collaborative effort with Stacktrek and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and supported by the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, will provide training on various AI tools and solutions. This initiative primarily targets IT workers, high school and college students, and job seekers to prepare them for emerging opportunities driven by AI technology.
According to Mr Panga, the academy’s formation is crucial for readying the local workforce to support multinational companies operating in frontier technologies and advanced manufacturing sectors. A two-storey training facility has already been invested in by Stacktrek in Cebu, which will serve as the initial location for the programme. PEZA also has plans to expand the initiative by establishing additional facilities in Metro Manila and other key cities and provinces to widen access.
The AI Tech Academy represents a continuation of PEZA’s broader efforts to enhance workforce skills and improve the ease of doing business in economic zones. In August 2024, PEZA launched the PEZA Academy, which delivers competency-based learning aligned with industry needs, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Further strengthening this trajectory, PEZA and TESDA formalised a partnership in January 2025 through a Memorandum of Understanding focusing on workforce development, skills training, and job matching for both local workers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Industry experts note the critical importance of upskilling and reskilling the workforce in response to the increasing adoption of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies, which are integral to frontier technologies and advanced manufacturing processes. The academy aims to future-proof the Filipino workforce by leveraging the country’s strong English proficiency, creativity, and technological aptitude. This, PEZA claims, positions the Philippines as an attractive destination for AI technology investors who seek capable talent pools and scalable operations for their offshoring needs.
The decision to base the AI Tech Academy initially in Cebu aligns with PEZA’s strategy to transform economic zones into global hubs for advanced manufacturing and smart technologies. This approach complements other initiatives across the country, such as the partnership between TESDA and Albay province to establish the country’s first AI Readiness Institute, focused on preparing workers, students, and entrepreneurs for an AI-driven economy.
These developments reflect a growing consensus about the need to align education and training with evolving industry demands. By incorporating AI-specific curricula and fostering partnerships across government and private sectors, the Philippines is striving to cultivate a workforce that can sustain economic growth and competitiveness in a rapidly changing global landscape. PEZA’s academy spurs this ambition, aiming to make the nation a front-runner in AI-related industries and generate jobs that benefit from technological advancement.
As the AI Tech Academy launches, it not only signifies a response to immediate labour market needs but also underscores the Philippines’ commitment to adapting its workforce for future challenges and opportunities in the technology sector. This initiative could serve as a model for how evolving economies might integrate AI education and training as foundational pillars for sustainable development and investment attraction.
Source: Noah Wire Services
