AIM and DOLE Strengthen Commitment to Transform Labor Governance
MAKATI, Philippines – In a significant step toward advancing labor governance in the Philippines, the Asian Institute of Management – School of Executive Education and Lifelong Learning (AIM-SEELL) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) successfully concluded three batches of the capacity-building initiative titled “Winning Our Futures Program: Beyond Adjustment – Transforming Governance and the Future of Work.” Designed to equip worker and employer representatives with advanced leadership skills and strategic foresight, the program aimed to help participants navigate the evolving and complex landscape of the Philippine labor market.
This groundbreaking partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed during the opening ceremony on February 24, 2025, commencing the program’s first batch. Key leaders from both institutions attended the event, led by DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma and AIM President and Dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang, reaffirming the shared commitment of AIM-SEELL and DOLE to inclusive dialogue and robust tripartite collaboration in the labor sector.
The 3-batch program brought together 72 sectoral representatives from across the country and 45 DOLE personnel. Through a week-long, intensive training, participants were equipped to respond to labor challenges in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment.
Through a carefully crafted curriculum led by Former DOLE Secretary and Program Director Ms. Nieves Confesor and delivered by AIM faculty and industry experts, participants engaged in interactive sessions covering key areas such as the future of labor and governance, data analytics, leadership, stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution, public value creation, strategic communication, and public narrative.
A major highlight of the program was the Capstone Projects, where participants presented actionable strategies addressing labor issues in their respective regions. These were evaluated by a distinguished panel composed of DOLE representatives, AIM adjunct faculty including Jam Mariquit and Richard Cruz, and leaders from the labor and employer sectors. The panel’s insights ensured alignment with national priorities such as digital transformation, labor market development, and network expansion.
During the graduation ceremony, mentors and participants reflected on the transformative journey. Ms. Confesor underscored the importance of bold and innovative leadership, urging graduates to view challenges as catalysts for growth. She emphasized the value of resilience, adaptability, and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration.
In his closing message, Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr. encouraged graduates to embrace critical thinking and open-mindedness. “Persuasion and collaboration are far more powerful than authority in the tripartite process,” he remarked. Quoting a poignant reflection, he added: “Let us all continue the exploration, and after the exploration, we return to where we started—and see the place again for the first time.”
The Winning Our Futures Program has laid the foundation for a renewed approach to labor governance—empowering participants with the tools and mindset to lead effectively in a dynamic world of work. AIM takes pride in partnering with DOLE in this transformative initiative, reaffirming its mission to develop leaders who can navigate complexity, drive innovation, and create lasting impact for Philippine society.
