Wadhwani Foundation Hosts TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez in Delhi to Strengthen Global Skilling Collaboration

New Delhi, India | April 2026:
The Wadhwani Foundation recently hosted Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez, Secretary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, at its Delhi office as part of a high-level learning exchange on skills development, career guidance, and workforce transformation.

The visit was a key component of TESDA’s India learning mission, supported by the Asian Development Bank under its Innovation Centers Project — a landmark $100 million initiative aimed at establishing 17 Regional Technology Innovation Centers across the Philippines. The mission underscores the Philippines’ commitment to adopting global best practices in skilling, innovation, and employability enhancement.

During the visit, the TESDA delegation engaged in in-depth discussions and demonstrations focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen workforce ecosystems. A major highlight was the live walkthrough of Wadhwani Foundation’s AI-powered My Career Advisor (MCA) platform, tailored for the Philippines. The platform is designed to provide personalized career guidance, job matching, and skill pathway recommendations, and is expected to be integrated with TESDA’s Skills Passport system to create a seamless, data-driven skilling ecosystem.

Deliberations during the exchange centered on a critical global challenge — bridging the gap between career advisory services and practical skills proficiency. Both organizations emphasized the importance of aligning training programs with industry needs while ensuring that learners receive actionable, technology-driven career guidance.

Further strengthening its commitment to advancing employability, the Wadhwani Foundation has also entered into a strategic partnership with IACT Education Pvt. Ltd., aimed at equipping students with AI-powered employability skills. This collaboration is expected to significantly enhance job readiness among IACT learners by integrating advanced career tools, digital learning resources, and industry-aligned training methodologies.

The partnership reflects a shared vision of creating scalable, technology-enabled skilling solutions that not only improve learning outcomes but also ensure meaningful employment opportunities for youth.

Speaking on the occasion, representatives from Wadhwani Foundation reiterated their commitment to supporting TESDA in building robust, employment-linked skilling systems for Filipino learners. The collaboration highlights the growing importance of international partnerships in addressing workforce challenges and accelerating economic growth through skills development.

The Wadhwani Foundation is a global nonprofit dedicated to accelerating job growth and enabling millions to earn a family-sustaining wage through entrepreneurship, innovation, and skilling initiatives.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is the Government of the Philippines agency responsible for managing and supervising technical education and skills development to empower the workforce and drive national development.