Abstract
The persistent social stigma surrounding Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Philippines, often viewed as a second-rate pathway reserved for the financially constrained or academically inferior, continues to undermine its critical role in national workforce development. Despite numerous documented instances of successful, wage-employed, and entrepreneurial TVET graduates, this negative societal perception contributes directly to both skills mismatch and program underutilization. This mixed-methods study aims to uncover the underlying psychological and societal reasons for this stigma and investigates the perceptions of key stakeholders, including students, trainers, parents, and industry partners, to assess how prevailing societal values influence TVET’s image and labor market effectiveness. Analysis confirmed that pervasive negative societal perceptions remained the most significant barrier, resulting in underenrollment and persistent misalignment with labor market needs. However, the research identified that strengthened industry collaboration, the implementation of evidence-based policies, and targeted advocacy efforts were crucial factors in transforming public mindset. This study contributed actionable recommendations to bridge the existing perception gaps, enhance industrial alignment, and successfully reposition TVET as a viable, respected, and essential pathway for cultivating a future-ready Filipino workforce.
