In a rapidly evolving world where career paths are dynamic and choices can be overwhelming, the Career Guidance Program (CGP) by the Department of Education (DepEd) aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their future. To further strengthen this initiative, DepEd has introduced the School-Based Training of Career Advocates (SBTCA) to enhance the capability of educators in guiding learners effectively.
Why is the Career Guidance Program Important?
The Career Guidance Program (CGP) serves as a compass that helps learners explore career options, identify potential paths, and make informed choices regarding their education and future careers. By incorporating CGP activities into the curriculum, students are empowered to plan for their senior high school journey, whether they opt for academic, technical-vocational, sports, or arts tracks.
With a focus on holistic student development, CGP ensures that learners are equipped with essential skills in decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-setting, fostering a future-ready mindset.
A Collaborative Effort: Key Agencies Behind SBTCA
The implementation of SBTCA is a result of joint efforts by:
✅ Bureau of Learner Support Services-Youth Formation Division (BLSS-YFD) – Leads training, content development, and delivery.
✅ Bureau of Curriculum and Teaching (BCT) – Ensures training standards and quality of program delivery.
✅ National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) – Manages the training design, assessment, and certification process for Career Advocates.
This collaboration ensures that the program is aligned with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Secondary School Education Program (SSEP) objectives and contributes to the overall success of the Career Guidance Program.
Scaling Up: Training Secondary School Teachers as Career Advocates
To achieve the goal of having Career Advocates in 48,000 public secondary schools, DepEd will conduct SBTCA training starting in Fiscal Year 2025. The program requires at least two trained teachers per school (preferably 1 male and 1 female), ensuring that at least 50% of public secondary schools have trained personnel who can assist learners effectively.
Who are Career Advocates?
Career Advocates are secondary school teachers who have undergone the training and passed the certification process. They are tasked with implementing CGP activities and providing guidance to students, making this a teaching-related specialization.
Legal Foundations: Ensuring Policy Compliance
The SBTCA is firmly rooted in key legislative frameworks, including:
📚 Republic Act (RA) No. 10533 – Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013
Emphasizes the importance of equipping educators with the skills to develop competencies, values, and attitudes relevant for tertiary education, employment, and lifelong learning.
📚 RA No. 11206 – Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Act
Mandates the creation of a National Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Program (CGCP), administered by DepEd across public and private secondary education institutions.
📚 RA No. 9258 – Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004
Allows non-licensed career advocates to conduct guidance and counseling services, provided they undergo the required training.
Implementation Guidelines: Ensuring Effective Execution
A. Implementers and Their Roles
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Human Resource Development Personnel
- Prepare the Work and Financial Plan (WFP) and submit to the Program Management Information System (PMIS).
- Lead the preparation of the school-based training implementation plan for regional approval.
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NEAP-R Personnel
- Ensure trainers adhere to the standards set by NEAP.
- Conduct assessments, monitor, and evaluate training effectiveness.
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Regional Youth Formation Coordinators (RYFCs)
- Lead the development and contextualization of career guidance modules.
- Assist in training, assessment, and certification processes.
B. Participants of the SBTCA
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Program Management Team – Comprised of NEAP-R, HRDD, EsP/GMRC supervisors, and Youth Formation Coordinators.
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Lead Trainers – Registered Guidance Counselors (RGCs) trained by BLSS-YFD.
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Support Trainers – Non-RGCs trained by BLSS-YFD, designated to support trainers and provide assistance.
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Secondary Teachers – At least 2 teachers from each school, trained and certified as Career Advocates to implement CGP activities.
Training and Assessment Protocol
✅ Venue and Schedule:
Training is conducted at school premises or nearby locations for convenience.
✅ Assessment Process:
- Online assessments are conducted after the 5-day training session.
- Participants must score at least 60% to pass and receive certification.
- Certified Career Advocates will facilitate CGP activities and serve as school-based career counselors.
Funding and Resource Allocation
To ensure smooth implementation, funds will be allocated through:
💡 Program Support Funds (PSF) sourced from the Human Resource Development (HRD) Fund.
💡 Funding covers training materials, facilitator expenses, venue, and operational costs.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Ensuring Quality Implementation
For effective monitoring, the Regional Offices (ROs) will submit consolidated reports to the Central Office through BLSS-YFD. These reports include the list of trained and certified Career Advocates, ensuring that the program achieves its intended goals.
DepEd will conduct regular evaluations to assess training outcomes, facilitator performance, and post-training implementation effectiveness.
Conclusion: Empowering Learners Through Informed Career Choices
The School-Based Training of Career Advocates (SBTCA) is a significant step toward empowering educators and ensuring that learners receive quality career guidance. By training secondary school teachers as Career Advocates, DepEd aims to provide students with the necessary support to explore career options and make informed decisions about their future.
With 48,000 public secondary schools targeted for SBTCA implementation by FY 2025, DepEd is set to revolutionize career guidance in the Philippines, paving the way for a generation of well-equipped, future-ready learners. 🚀