Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Thru Republic Act 7796, otherwise known as the TESDA act of 1994, it 
is hereby a declared the policy of the State to provide relevant, accessible, high 
quality and efficient technical education and skills development in support of the 
development of high quality Filipino middle-level manpower responsive to and in 
accordance with Philippine development goals and priorities. 
This House Bill seeks to encourage active participation of various concerned 
sectors, particularly private enterprises, being direct participants in and 
immediate beneficiaries of a trained and skilled work force, in providing 
technical education and skills development opportunities 
This house bill seeks to establish a reformed apprenticeship program that will 
ensure the availability of qualified manpower in the field of critical and in-
demand technical skills through the active participation of all workers, 
enterprises, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations 
concerned. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested 
September 12, 2022
12:09 pm
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MICHAEL  L. ROMERO


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING 
FOR 
A 
REVISED 
APPRENTICESHIP 
PROGRAM 
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE CHAPTERS I AND II OF TITLE II OF 
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE 
KN0WN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of 
the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Revised 
Apprenticeship Program Act of 2022" 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of 
the State to establish a reformed apprenticeship program that will ensure the 
availability of qualified manpower in the field of critical and in-demand 
technical skills through the active participation of all workers, enterprises, 
government agencies, and non-governmental organizations concerned. 
SECTION 3. Statement of Objectives. - This Act aims to: 
a) Help meet the demand of the economy for trained human resource;
b) Have a national apprenticeship program that includes on- and off- the- 
job training components with tripartite involvement;
c) Promote the engagement of young workers through training and
development;
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d) Enhance existing standards for the training and development of 
apprentices; 
e) Recognize the indispensable role of private enterprises in the training 
and development of human resource; 
f) Strengthen the advocacy on the apprenticeship training program to 
encourage the participation of enterprises and young workers; 
g) Increase productivity and competitiveness of enterprises by ensuring 
the availability of 
skilled human resource; and 
h) Harness corporate social responsibility towards the development of 
skilled manpower to meet the requirements of industries. 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
a) Apprentice refers to a person undergoing training for an 
approved apprenticeable occupation during an established 
period governed by an apprenticeship contract; 
b) Apprenticeship refers to a training within an enterprise 
involving a contract between an apprentice and an enterprise 
on an approved apprenticeable occupation; 
c) Apprenticeable occupation refers to an occupation officially 
endorsed by a tripartite body and approved for apprenticeship 
by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA); 
d) Apprenticeship contract refers to an agreement wherein an 
enterprise binds itself to train the apprentice who in turn 
accepts the terms of training for the recognized apprenticeable 
occupation. 
It 
also 
contains 
the 
rights, 
duties 
and 
responsibilities of each party; 
e) Bipartite plant apprenticeship committee refers to a group 
established by the enterprise composed of representatives of 
labor and management responsible for monitoring program 
implementation, settling differences between management and 
apprentices, and 
f) Certificate o' Competency refers to a document issued by the 
TESDA to individuals who are assessed as competent in a 
cluster of related competencies; 
g) Certificate of TVET Program Registration refers to a document 
sued by the TBDA granting an to an enterprise to offer a program in 
an apprenticeable occupation; 
h) Cluster of competencies refers to a group of related 
competencies that, while it 
not satisfy the requirements of a 
full qualification, still constitutes an employable package and 
can be awarded a Certificate of Competency; 
i) Competency assessment refers to the process of gathering and 
judging evidence in order to deckle whether a person has a 


 
standard of competency; recommending measures or effective 
program Implementation; 
j) Competency standard refers to a written specification of the 
knowledge, skills, attitude and values for the performance of a 
job, occupation or trade and the corresponding standard of 
performance required in the workplace; 
k) Dual Training System refers to a delivery system of quality 
technical and vocational education which requires training to 
be carried out alternately in two venues: in school and in the 
production plant. In- school training provides the trainee title 
theoretical foundation, basic training, guidance and human 
formation. while in plant training develops the trainee's skills 
and proficiency in actual work conditions as it continues to 
inculcate personal discipline and work values; 
l) Enterprise refers to a participating establishment that directly 
engages an apprentice based on an approved apprenticeship 
program; 
m. 
Qualification refers to a package of competencies describing a 
particular function or job role existing in an economic sector covering 
the work activities required to undertake a job; 
n. Training plan refers to the specification for the apprenticeship 
program of an enterprise which describes all the learning experience 
a student undergoes general / including the competencies to be 
acquired within the program, the underpinning knowledge, theories 
and principles, and the assessment arrangement; 
o. Unit of competency refers to an activity that compromises a 
manageable component of work described in terms of elements. 
performance criteria, range of variables and evidence guile. 
SECTION 5. Qualifications of an Apprentice. — To qualify as an 
apprentice, a person must: 
 
a. Be at least fifteen (1) years of age; 
b. Possess good moral character, vocational aptitude and capacity for 
apprenticeship as determined by the enterprise; and 
c. Have the to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions. 
Trade, industry aryl labor organizations may recommend to TESDA 
appropriate educational requirements for different occupations. 
SECTION 6. Aptitude Testing of Applicants. Consistent with the 
minimum qualifications of an apprentice under Section 5 thereof , the bipartite 
plant apprenticeship committees shall have the primary responsibility of 
providing appropriate aptitude examinations in the selection of apprentices. 


 
SECTION 7. Training of Apprentices. — Only enterprises with 
programs registered with the TESDA may enter into apprenticeship contracts 
and train apprentices in approved apprenticeable occupations. 
SECTION 8. Apprenticeship Training Program Content and 
Delivery. — All qualifications with training regulations promulgated the 
TESDA Board are automatically classified as apprenticeable. To meet the 
immediate requirements of enterprises for skilled workers, the TESDA Board 
must approve new apprenticeable occupations endorsed by the appropriate 
Regional Technical Education and Skills Development Committee upon 
consultation with workers' groups and industry representatives. 
The apprenticeship program shall emphasize the need for theoretical 
Instruction. The enterprise may seek partnership) a Technical-Vocational 
Education and Training (IVE) institution in its design and delivery. 
SECTION 9. Apprenticeship Period. — The apprenticeship period shall 
be based on the duration of training required in the training plan and on the 
complexity of the skills to be learned by the apprentices. 
SECTION 10. Apprenticeship Program Registration. — The 
registration of an apprenticeship program can be for a qualification, a cluster 
of competencies, of bundled qualifications as contained in the training 
regulations. A letter of application stating the intention, the certificate of 
undertaking, and the training plan shall be submitted to TESDA for approval. 
A Certificate of TV ET Program Registration shall be issued to the enterprise to 
signify authorization for specific qualification or competency clusters. 
An apprenticeship program may be approved on a no-training 
regulations basis provided that the applicant enterprise can show proof of the 
demand for such skill. 
The TESDA shall provoke technical assistance to applying and 
implementing enterprises to be able to comply with the provisions of this 
section. 


 
SECTION 11 Contents of the Apprenticeship Contract — The 
apprenticeship contract must conform with the fibs by the TESDA and shall 
the following: 
a. Nature, syllabus, timetable, and purpose of training; 
b. Period of training, depending on the approved training regulations; 
c. Training allowances prescribed by industry subsectors through 
tripartite consultations which in no case shall start below seventy-
five percent (75 0/0) of the applicable minimum wage; Provided, 
however, That contributions to the training allowance by 
government agencies and/or non-governmental organizations shall 
be considered in computing the seventy-five percent (75%); 
d. Schedule of training allowance payment; 
e. Training hours; 
f. Process for the termination of apprenticeship; and 
g. General rights and obligations of both parties. 
SECTION 12 Signing of the Apprenticeship Contract. — Every 
apprenticeship contract shall be signed by the apprentice and the enterprise, 
recognized 
organization, 
association 
or 
group 
or 
their 
authored 
representatives. 
An contract with a person under eighteen (18) years of age shall be 
signed by the or guardian of person or, if the latter is not available by an 
authorized representative. The contract shall be binding during lifetime, 
subject to the right of the apprentice to terminate the same after a month's 
notice. 
Every apprenticeship contract entered into under this Act shall be 
approved by the bipartite plant apprenticeship committee the firm owner and 
representatives of the firm workers. of the apprenticeship contract shall be 
furnished the firm owner and the apprentice 
SECTION 13. Apprenticeship Models. Enterprises with approved 
apprenticeship programs may choose from any of the following apprenticeship 
model when may use the Dual Training System approach: 
a. Apprenticeship involving a company and an identified training 
institution; 
b. Apprenticeship involving a group of companies arid a training 
institution; 


 
c. Apprenticeship involving an industry training center and a 
company or a group of companies; or 
d. Other schemes to be established by the TESDA in consultation 
with enterprise owners, labor and training institutions subject to 
the approval of the TESDA Board. 
SECTION 14. Apprenticeship Administration. — The TESDA Board 
shall be responsible for setting up the overall apprenticeship poky and 
standards. The TESDA Secretariat shall be responsible for apprenticeship 
administration, monitoring and evaluation of on and the-job training. 
SECTION 15. Investigation of Violation of Apprenticeship Contract. 
The Bipartite Plant Apprenticeship Committee, motu proprio or upon 
complaint of any interested party, shall have initial responsibility for settling 
differences arising out of apprenticeship contracts. In case it is not able to settle 
such differences, the TEASDA Provincial Director shall investigate and submit 
a recommendation to the TESDA Regional Director who shall render a decision 
pursuant to pertinent and regulations as may be prescribed by the TESDA 
Board. 
SECTION 16. Appeal to the TESDA Director General. - The decision 
of the TESDA Regional Director may be appealed by any aggrieved person 
to the TESDA Director General within five (5) days from receipt of the 
decision. The decision of the TESDA Director General shall be final 
executory. 
SECTION 17. Termination of Apprenticeship: 
Valid causes to terminate the apprenticeship contract: 
a. By be enterprise: 
1. Habitual absenteeism in on-the-job training and related theoretical 
instructions activities: 
2. Willful disobedience of company rules or insubordination of lawful 
order of a superior; 
3. Poor physical condition, prolonged illness. or permanent disability 
which incapacitates the apprentice from working; 
4. Theft or malicious destruction of company property or equipment; 


 
5. Inefficiency, or poor performance on the job or in the classroom for a 
prolonged period despite warnings duly given to the apprentice; and 
6. Engaging in violence or other forms of misconduct inside the 
enterprise's premises. 
b. By the apprentice: 
1. Substandard or harmful working condition within the enterprise's 
premises; 
2. Repeated violations by the enterprise of the terms of the 
apprenticeship agreement; 
3. Cruel and treatment; 
4. Personal problem which in the opinion of the apprentice shall prevent 
the satisfactory performance of the job by the apprentice, and 
5. Bad health and continuing illness. 
SECTION 18. Rules and Procedure on the Termination of the 
Apprenticeship.  
 
a. Apprenticeship Committee Level 
1. The enterprise or apprentice interested in terminating the contract 
may do so by notifying first the Bipartite Plant Apprenticeship 
Committee. 
2. The Committee confers with both parties and mediates the differences 
between them. 
3. If mediation or settlement not possible, the Committee advises the 
complainants to apply for the termination at the Regional Office 
concerned. 
b. Regional Level 
1. The complainant verbally presents the case to the TESOA Regional 
Office. If the complaint merits consideration, the complainant is made 
to duly accomplish an Application for Termination of Apprenticeship 
form. 
2. The concerned unit or division of the TESDA Regional Office verifies 
the veracity and validity of the claim within five (5) days from its receipt 
by: 
a. Calling both the enterprise and the apprentice for a conference; 
or 
b. Sending a representative to the enterprise for that purpose. 
3. In case a ground for approval exists: 


 
a. The investigating officer (field representative) shall initiate the 
application for termination. 
b. The chief of the concerned unit of division of the TESDA Regional 
Office shall verify the same. 
c. The application for termination shall immediately be forwarded to 
the Regional Director for appropriate action, after which a copy of 
the acted upon application shall be furnished the applicant and 
the second party. This process shall be completed within three (3) 
days from receipt of the document by the office of the concerned 
Regional Director. 
d. A copy of each approved application shall be furnished to the 
concerned office of the TESDA. 
c. Agency Level 
1. If either of the parties is not satisfied with the decision of the Regional 
Director the case may be appealed, within the reglementary period of 
five (5) days from receipt of the document, to the TESDA Director-
General whose decision shall be final and unappealable. 
SECTION 19. Competency Assessment and Certification. - The 
apprentices shall, within the apprenticeship period, undergo competency 
assessment for qualifications to the training regulations. A national certificate 
shall be issued to all those who demonstrated achievement of the competency 
standards. 
SECTION 20. Training Certificate. — A training certificate shall be 
issued by the authorized enterprise to signify completion of the apprenticeship 
program in accordance with the approved training design The certificate shall 
contain a list of the units of competency acquired and shall be comparable to 
completion of a training program in a TVET institution. 
SECTION 21. Compulsory Apprenticeship. — When the national 
security or particular requirements of economic development so demand, the 
President of the Republic of the Philippines shall compulsory training of 
apprentice in certain trades, occupations, jobs or employment levels where 
shortage of trained manpower is deemed critical as determined by the TESDA 
Board. 
SECTION 22. Incentives. — An additional deduction from the  gross 
income of one-half (1/2) of the labor training expenses incurred from 


 
developing the productivity and efficiency of apprentices shall be granted to 
the person or enterprise organizing an apprenticeship program: Provided, That 
the employer shall be exempt from the payment of the apprenticeship fee and 
that such program shall be recognized by the TESDA: Provided further, That 
such deduction shall mt exceed ten percent (10%) of the training allowance of 
the apprentices: Provided finally, That the enterprise that wishes to avail of 
this incentive shall pay its apprentices the minimum wage. Micro-cottage and 
small enterprises with less than one hundred (100) employees shall be exempt 
from paying the apprenticeship fee. 
SECTION 23. System of Equivalency. — Apprenticeship graduates 
shall be awarded equivalent unit credits in the formal system of education that 
can be used in pursuing tertiary degree courses subject to the integrated 
policies guidelines on equivalency and Adult Education Acceleration Program 
of the TESDA, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the 
Department of Education (DepEd). 
SECTION 24. Insurance for Apprentices. — Every participating 
enterprise, group or association, Industry, organization, government 
institution or civic group undertaking train.ng accordance with the provisions 
of this Act shall provide a disability of accident insurance policy favor of the 
trainee of apprentice during the apprenticeship period. 
SECTION 25. Penalty Clause. — enterprises found offering 
unregistered apprenticeship programs shall be subjected to program closure 
proceeding without prejudice to the filing of administrative, criminal, or civil 
liabilities. The TESDA Board may file the necessary civil or criminal case as 
may be deemed reasonable and appropriate and after the deliberation of the 
TESDA Board pursuant to this Act for any of the following causes: 
a. Fraud or deceit committed in connection with the application for the 
opening of apprenticeship programs; and 
b. Failure to comply with conditions or obligations prescribed under this 
Act of its implementing rules and regulations. 


 
Any violation of the provisions of this Act or its implementing rules and 
regulations shall be punished with a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos 
(P 10,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than three (3) years, or both such 
fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court. 
SECTION 26. Transitory Provision. — All existing apprenticeship 
programs and training regulation shall be valid until after the TESDA have 
conducted an assessment and revalidation for consistency with the provisions 
of this Act and its implementing IRR. 
SECTION 27. Abolition of the Learnership Program. — To rationalize 
and ensure the effective implementation of the Reformed Apprenticeship 
Program the Learnership Program hereby abolished. 
SECTION 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The TESDA Board 
shall issue the implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days 
after the effectivity of this Act. 
SECTION 29. Repealing Clause. - Chapters 1 and 11 of Title 11 of 
Presidential Decree No. 442. as amended, otherwise known as the Labor Code 
of the Philippines are hereby repealed. Executive Order No. 111 series of 1986, 
R.A. No. 7796 or the "TESDA Act of 1994 and all other laws. presidential 
decrees, issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, and rules and 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby amended accordingly. 
SECTION 30. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity 
of the other provisions hereof. 
SECTION 31. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
Approved,