How SEASEP is strengthening engineering safety in the Philippines

The programme provides training in safety-critical disciplines, including welding, non-destructive testing (NDT), health and safety, and inspection, where small mistakes can have serious consequences.

SEASEP combines structured technical training with assessment pathways designed to develop and demonstrate competence.

Coupled with the training are assessment pathways that can lead to internationally recognised certification. In the Philippines, it can be a major challenge to access qualifications accepted by global employers. SEASEP is designed to align training and assessment with international standards, enabling participants to develop and demonstrate their skills and, where requirements are successfully met, work towards certification recognised by employers around the world.

Financial circumstances, location and lack of awareness of engineering career opportunities often stop people from continuing - or even starting - to progress in an engineering field. To make it possible for more people to participate in SEASEP training, funded placements and bursaries are available, including 100% bursaries for women. Much of this support is focussed on groups that are underrepresented in engineering, or groups that are in some way disadvantaged, with the aim being to increase the level of diversity within the Philippines engineering sector, and across Southeast Asian engineering more broadly. Across the participating SEASEP countries, the programme has so far trained more than 4,500 learners.

One of the factors that distinguishes SEASEP is that the courses available match the skills demand. Shortages of qualified engineers in the Philippines are currently impacting construction, energy, manufacturing and maritime industries, so to ensure that participants are well-placed to find work and contribute to the engineering profession, SEASEP is designed to fill the gaps that are already visible.

Graduates will help maintain safe practices, improve inspections and strengthen quality assurance. By raising standards beyond individual roles, SEASEP aims to foster a stronger culture of safety, leading to fewer incidents and safer infrastructure.