The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said on Wednesday that it targets to produce globally competitive bartending graduates, following a surge in demand locally and overseas.
“Our demand in bartending is really high because hospitality or tourism sector has one of the highest employment rates,” TESDA Technical Trainer and Assessor Shella D. Bawar told reporters during an interview.
“There are a lot of hotels and bars that call us, they want our graduates,” she added.
Among the programs offered by TESDA across Metro Manila, the Waitering National Certificate (NC) II has the highest enrollment rate, followed by the Bartending NCII.
TESDA’s Bartending NCII covers competencies in bar operations, the preparation and mixing of cocktails and non-alcoholic concoctions, and basic wine service for all food and beverage service providers except “Specialty Coffee Shops”.
The agency has produced 75 to 100 bartending graduates last year, with an almost 100% employment rate.
“After the program, they become professional bartenders,” Ms. Bawar said, citing an estimated salary between P40,000 and P80,000 in Metro Manila.
While the agency encourages graduates to work for at least two years in the Philippines, most choose to work on cruise ships or in other countries, such as Dubai, Switzerland, and Greece.
“We always talk about working here for two to three years, but most of them want to work abroad,” she said. “Most of them are working abroad, which is actually their target.”
TESDA has partnered with Diageo Philippines, Inc., a multinational alcoholic beverage company, to strengthen the program further and align students with the evolving demands of hospitality establishments locally and abroad.
“Through this collaboration, we’re bringing together global expertise in bartendering, beverage knowledge, education, hospitality, and excellence,” Diageo Philippines, Inc. General Manager Rachanatorn “Nok” Laohaphan said during her speech at the ceremonial signing of the partnership.
Under the collaboration, Diageo Philippines will provide internationally recognized training modules from the Diageo Bar Academy to equip Filipino learners with global mixology trends, deeper spirits education, and modern bar management principles.
The curriculum also includes ancillary business modules, such as customer engagement, marketing fundamentals, and responsible drinking principles that are integral to managing a bar.
“We are able to ensure that we not only stay up to date but we stay globally competitive,” TESDA Director General Jose Francisco B. Benitez said during his speech.
“We aim to strengthen workforce development initiatives, expand access to quality training opportunities, and equip more Filipinos with the competencies needed to succeed in this industry, whether in the Philippines or abroad,” he added.
The Diageo Masterclass will begin in Q3 2026 with an initial group of 25 students and run for 3 weeks. — Almira Louise S. Martinez
