Industrial Design as a profession seeks to strategically address the industries’ needs for aesthetically functional designs through innovation with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life and building business success. The Philippines’ design practice can be considered to be at its prime, with spotlights focused on internationally renowned designers. Several names made a mark in the international scene showcasing Filipino ingenuity and craftsmanship, and this has proven the marketability of Filipino designers locally and abroad. The quality of the Industrial Design program and its relevance and applicability to the current trends in design practice has gained not much attention for the past few decades of its existence. The contents of curriculum and core competency-building capacity of institutions to hone future designers may have had too little attention, not enough to withstand the competition this profession poses. The research revolved at the competencies level of practising Filipino designers and their employability in the international arena. Technical knowledge, certification or licenses, and relevant experiences were treated as indicators of competencies; on the other hand, their employability was established through their work-based level of work, the immediacy of employment and years of practice. These variables were tested to provide a clear grasp of how competencies can influence the ability of designers to be employed in the global market. The results provided remarkable assessments on how designers perceive their level of competencies and have offered a glimpse on how Filipino designers were received globally. This study’s thrust is to provide academic institutions with an anchor for program development to address opportunities identified. Often, we associate competency with employability and equate it as a guarantee for success, however effective learning experience, the relevance of the program, and effective relay of significant knowledge are key to ensure that graduates of the Industrial Design Program are equipped and ready to make their mark in the design industry.

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Lannu, J. E., & Nobleza, M. F. L. (2017). The impact of competitiveness on the employability of Philippines industrial designers: Streamlining the program with the international market. International Journal of Business and Administrative Studies, 3(1), 30-36.