MANILA – In this age of digital technology, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), guided by the Marcos administration’s policy of inclusivity, is committed to guaranteeing all Filipinos have the digital skills to succeed.
The DICT’s program called SPARK—Strengthening the Philippine Workforce through Adaptive and Responsive Digital Knowledge—provides the means to equip Filipinos with the skills necessary for success in the growing digital economy. It focuses on creating opportunities, promoting innovation, and securing the nation’s prominent global digital position.
What is SPARK?
Formerly known as the DICT’s “digitaljobsPH” program, it was rebranded in 2024 to SPARK.
An ambitious project, SPARK aligns with Republic Act No. 11927 or the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act. This landmark legislation created the framework to bridge the country’s digital-skills gap, focusing on upskilling and reskilling the Filipino workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Central to RA No. 11927 is the Inter-Agency Council (IAC) composed of different national government agencies, including the Departments of Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry, Information and Communications Technology, and Education. The IAC is tasked with implementing key provisions of the law, such as establishing co-working or shared service facilities, providing training, promoting digital entrepreneurship, and ensuring digital inclusion for disadvantaged and marginalized groups.
The council’s efforts include targeted skill certifications and programs to enable Filipinos to participate in the global digital economy actively.
Becoming digital literate
In his 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized that digitalization is vital to keeping the Philippines apace with progress in the world.
“Digitalization is the call of today; not the call of the future—but of the present. It is here. It is needed, and it is needed today,” the President pointed out.
DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy highlighted the importance of digital literacy for Filipinos. “Digital literacy is our assurance of our competitiveness globally and ensuring jobs for our fellow Filipinos. We have to make sure that the skillsets that we provide are the skillsets that are futureproof,” he said in an interview.
According to him, Filipinos will benefit from acquiring skillsets that cover cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, Internet, drones, electric vehicles, and electric mobility, among other areas of digital technology.
SPARK exemplifies the government’s commitment as it equips Filipinos with advanced skills tailored to the needs of today’s dynamic digital economy. The initiative not only addresses unemployment but also empowers individuals and communities to thrive in a tech-driven world, ensuring that the Philippines remains competitive on the global stage.
With connectivity and workforce development as key DICT priorities, SPARK equips Filipinos with essential digital skills, fosters entrepreneurship, and bridges the digital divide—especially in rural and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
Through specialized training programs, the initiative tackles unemployment and underemployment while empowering communities outside Metro Manila to tap into the growing information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
SPARK’s impact is multifaceted, addressing the diverse needs of the Filipino workforce across various sectors and GIDAs.
Bridging opportunities for a digitally inclusive workforce
A report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) notes a gender disparity among graduates of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Over the past ten years, women have made up only 35% of graduates and careers in STEM. The UNESCO pointed to digital-skills development as one area country’s must foster gender equality.
SPARK opens doors to ICT-related careers by offering training in high-demand fields like graphic design–notably for women. An example is the SPARK Technical Training for Women held in Tubod, Lanao del Norte in May 2024. Participants underwent a 13-day intensive program combining hands-on sessions and online learning, equipping them with professional graphic-design skills to meet client needs and enhance user experiences.
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) also benefited from SPARK’s inclusive approach, showcasing the initiative’s commitment to fostering independence and ensuring equal access to opportunities. One example is the “Computer-Eyes” technical training for individuals with visual impairments at the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) in Cebu. This collaboration with Resources for the Blind (RBI) and the Overbrook-Nippon Network on Educational Technology (ON-NET) equipped participants with essential digital skills using tools like NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA).
For returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), SPARK provides specialized reintegration support, enabling them to adapt seamlessly to the local workforce while gaining essential skills for the digital-jobs market.
Meanwhile, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) receive crucial training in e-commerce, online payment systems, and digital marketing strategies, equipping entrepreneurs with tools to scale their businesses in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Additionally, SPARK addresses the needs of ICT industry near-hires by offering tailored training aligned with industry demands, preparing Filipinos for high-demand roles in the IT-business process management (BPM) sector.
Spaniel Perante, a participant in one of the General Virtual Assistance training in Romblon, shared how the initiative transformed her career: “SPARK has been my bridge to a thriving digital career. With the skills and confidence I gained, I successfully landed my first client and started my journey toward financial independence. This program truly transformed my life and opened doors to endless possibilities,” she said.
The program was also rolled out to students in various academic institutions. The DICT-SPARK official Facebook page reported a recent technical training on Minecraft Education and Mobile Robotics at the Tanauan School of Craftsmanship and Home Industries. This “helped the STEM students learn new skills in basic coding and creative thinking.”
The DICT also provides free online courses in collaboration with private-sector partners like Google and Coursera, offering certification programs in cybersecurity, data analytics, UX design, project management, and digital marketing, among others. It offers Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) focusing on ICT workforce development, artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, foundational data science, virtual assistance, and more. These initiatives aim to enhance ICT literacy and digital competencies nationwide.
SPARK is creating opportunities, bridging gaps, and empowering communities—one skill at a time. With its training initiatives that continue through collaborations with other government and non-government organizations and private-sector partners in cities and municipalities across the country, SPARK ensures that President Marcos’s vision of a digitally inclusive Philippines becomes a reality. By leveraging technology and innovation, the government is building a workforce ready to meet the challenges of the digital age.
