More than 100 representatives from JEPPCA member agencies, its sister associations, and other industry stakeholders gathered on May 6, 2026, at The Heritage Hotel Manila for JEPPCA's Basic-Must Know-Winnable (BMW) learning session on Japan's upcoming Employment for Skill Development (ESD) framework.

The learning session was organized to help recruitment agencies (Sending Organizations) better understand Japan's transition from the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) to the new ESD system, which is expected to be implemented next year. Participants gained learnings about the objectives of the new framework, its key features, implementation considerations, and its potential impact on the recruitment and deployment of Filipino workers to Japan.

Representatives from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shared updates on the Japan labor market and discussed current government initiatives relevant to overseas employment, providing participants with the latest policy and regulatory developments.

The event also featured representatives from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), who discussed the agency's ongoing efforts to enhance its Japanese language training modules to align with the language proficiency requirements of the upcoming ESD framework. Their presentation highlighted the importance of ensuring that future Filipino workers are better prepared to meet Japan's evolving workforce needs.

Also in attendance were several owners and representatives of selected Japanese language training centers, who joined the learning session to gain a deeper understanding of the ESD framework and its implications for language training and workforce preparation.

The event, which was part of JEPPCA's continuing learning sessions for the industry, served also as a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas among recruitment agencies, government partners, and training institutions, reaffirming JEPPCA's commitment to keeping the industry informed and prepared for significant developments in the Japan labor market.

Through JEPPCA's initiatives like these, the association continues to strengthen industry knowledge, promote ethical recruitment, and support the successful deployment of Filipino workers to Japan.