Senior high school graduates can get real jobs provided they are given the right training and workplace exposure, according to Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) executive director Justine Raagas.
“We just need to develop better mechanisms for government, industry, and academe to work together so we can connect school and work…To tackle unemployment and underemployment issues among the youth, we have been actively pushing for private sectors, schools, and the government to collaborate and invest in youth training initiatives,” Raagas said.
PBEd’s workforce development program, YouthWorks PH, showed encouraging results. Of the 294 K-12 graduates who trained under YourthWOrks PH, 222 have found jobs, translating to an overall employment rate of 76%. YOuthWorks PH was implemented with the support of USAID.
According to Raagas, companies in construction, food and beverage, and food services are opening their doors to K-12 graduates and are willing to provide them training.
YouthWorks PH is conducting training in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, GenSan, Zamboanga, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur.
Its training model includes technical-vocational training as well as soft skills development and apprenticeship to equip the youth with theoretical knowledge and practical experience that will make them well-rounded and adaptable workers.
YouthWorks PH provide young individuals skills training plus support for remote learning and 75% of the minimum wage in their locality as allowance during the work-based training.
