DepEd: Work Immersion Now Mandatory for TechPro Students, No Using Learners as Free Labor
MANILA – Senior high school students on the Technical-Professional (TechPro) track will be required to undergo work immersion, and partner companies may not use them as free labor, under new guidelines released by the Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, November 13.
The rules are laid down in DepEd Order No. 023, s. 2026, which forms part of the Strengthened Senior High School (SSHS) Curriculum. The order covers work immersion, field exposure and arts apprenticeship programs.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the longer and more structured immersion is meant to help Grade 12 graduates land jobs sooner.
“Ang work immersion ang makakapaghanda sa ating mga mag-aaral para mas maging job-ready sila, kaya mas malaki ang chance na agad makahanap ng trabaho ang graduates ng Grade 12,” Angara said. (Work immersion will prepare our learners to be more job-ready, so Grade 12 graduates have a bigger chance of finding work right away.)
320 to 640 hours
Under the order, TechPro learners must complete either a 320-hour program in one term or a 540- to 640-hour program spread over two terms, depending on the readiness of the school, the capacity of industry partners and the needs of learners.
For students in the Academic track, work immersion stays optional. Those who finish the required prerequisite electives may take a 320-hour program. Academic track learners may also enroll in an 80-hour Field Exposure elective that includes workplace visits, guided observation and career exploration.
An Arts Apprenticeship option is also available for students who want to explore visual arts, media arts and the performing arts.
Protections for learners
DepEd stressed that students in immersion must not be treated as free labor or given tasks unrelated to their learning goals.
Immersion activities are capped at eight hours a day and five days a week. Schools must screen partner institutions, sign formal agreements with them, prepare training plans, and orient both students and parents on workplace expectations, safety rules and learner rights before deployment.
Teachers are also required to hold weekly “Kumustahan” sessions to check on students’ progress, safety and well-being while they are in the workplace.
Aside from private companies, schools are encouraged to partner with government agencies and local government units for immersion slots.
Angara said the department is already in talks with industry partners for guaranteed placements. “Based on experience, the chances of employment are higher when they undergo a longer immersion period with the company or organization,” he said.
The guidelines take effect for public and private schools piloting the SSHS curriculum in School Year 2026-2027. All other senior high schools will follow starting in 2027.
The new order comes as government data showed weaker youth employment in September 2026, with the youth jobless rate at 15.3 percent.