The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) launched YouthWorks PH, a five-year, Php1.7 billion workforce development project that will connect out-of-school youth with training and employment opportunities.

At the launch, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Michael Klecheski said, “This partnership will boost the capacities of young people who otherwise may not have the opportunity to pursue education, training, or a career, with an overall goal of helping youth realize their full potential while positively contributing to their communities.” He also noted that the Filipino youth “are the future leaders who will drive economic growth, democracy, and prosperity in this country.”

Through YouthWorks PH, USAID and PBEd will engage Philippine government and private sector partners to provide youth with work-based training positions. Universities and training institutions will complement these positions with classroom-based skills training and competency certifications. Youth participants will also receive life skills training to prepare them for the workplace.

USAID and PBEd will implement the project in seven cities in the Philippines – Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos, Iloilo, Cebu and the National Capital Region. The project will train 4,100 youth and enhance the skill sets of at least 40,000 Filipino youth over five years, so that they better match with workforce needs.

PBEd Chairman Ramon del Rosario, Jr. said, “We at PBEd believe in the power we can harness from the unbounded reservoir of Filipino talent and potential. Through this partnership, we can elevate Filipino youth to greater heights of global competitiveness, industry relevance, and social responsiveness.”