The lower chamber recently gave its final approval, in overwhelming fashion, to the proposed "Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Program Act". Embodied in House Bill (HB) No.7400, the measure seeks to strengthen enterprise-based apprenticeship program and training to raise the level of skills and competencies of Filipino students and fill the labor and personnel demands of industries. A total of 277 congrssmen voted "yes" to the bill's passage on third and final reading on Wednesday, March 22. Only three voted "no", while nobody abstained. The aim of HB No,7400 is to rationalize middle-level workers’ training system by consolidating apprenticeship, dual training, on-the-job training programs and all other forms of industry-based training arrangement. “If this becomes law, this will certainly enrich the competencies and skills of our Filipino students and workers through hands-on training in enterprises or industries that will eventually hire them in the future. This is making sure that whatever skills these enterprises need, Filipino workers will possess them,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement after the bill’s third-reading passage The measure, a consolidation of HB No.1665 filed by Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and HD No.2283 introduced by CIBAC Party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva, has received a strong support from the House of Representatives. In fact, 148 other lawmakers—including Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe and Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo---signed up as co-authors of the bill, the main objective of which is to establish a competency-based and national enterprise-based training and education system for students aspiring to be middle-level workers. This includes “an off-and-on-the job training program and involving the active participation and cooperation of employers, workers, industry and the government". EBET is seen to strengthen the present apprenticeship program to include workplace-related training and education such as learnership, on-the-job training, practicum, work appreciation program, dual training system, internship, and in-company training. Under the measure, these EBET programs will be implemented in the following manner: EBET by enterprises, which include apprenticeship, learnership, and in-company training; EBET by technical-vocational institutions (TVIs) and enterprises, which include dual training system, practicum, on-the-job training, internship, and supervised industry training; and EBET by government agencies, which include work appreciation program and government internship program. It also provides for the registration with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) of any enterprise, group or association, industry, organization, government institution, or civic group that intends to participate in the dual training system and organize an EBET program. Registration is required before a student-trainee starts actual training. Also, an EBET agreement is required between the employer and student-trainee, which shall include the following terms: nature and purpose of training; training programs; period of training; training allowance equivalent to 75 percent of the existing minimum wage, paid in cash or in kind or both; schedule of training allowance payments; the process of termination of EBET; and general rights and obligations of both parties. The measure also outlines the qualifications of EBET student-trainees, which are the following: 1) At least a senior high school graduate or its equivalent, 2) Possesses vocational aptitude and capacity as may be established through appropriate aptitude tests, and 3) Possesses the ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions. “Certified EBET graduates shall be exempted from probationary employment in the event that they are employed in occupations requiring the same skills and qualification standards, which they shall have obtained upon passing the appropriate competency assessment,” the measure reads. Tax exemptions are also granted for enterprises that will participate in the EBET programs.