The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), and the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines (OVP) today launched a partnership to provide free technical-vocational skills and employability training for over 1,000 unemployed and out-of-school Filipino youth.

The OVP, through its TrabaHOPE program, will co-sponsor the training needs of youth aged 18-30 years old who qualify for YouthWorks PH, USAID’s private sector-driven employability initiative with PBEd. YouthWorks PH is a free technical-vocational training program for youth who are currently not studying, in training or employed.

The combined Php17-million ($340,000) commitment from OVP, USAID, and PBEd will cover the training costs for YouthWorks PH participants until the end of 2020. This is in addition to the support of the project’s private sector partners, from the food and beverage services, construction, manufacturing, and information technology sectors, who will provide daily training allowances and opportunities for eventual employment for the trainees.

The OVP’s support, which will cover the daily allowance for participants, along with a welcome kit, hands-on materials, mobile/internet allowance and pre-employment support, complements the learning devices, online mentoring, online/blended tech-voc training, in-company training, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) national certification provided by YouthWorks.

“We are grateful for this partnership with USAID and PBEd, which will allow us to open more doors for young people who may be supporting themselves and their families, especially during the COVID-19 crisis,” said VP Leni Robredo. “This collaboration is yet more proof that the spirit of Bayanihan continues to inspire our commitment to uplift the lives of those who are in need.”

“The opportunities that this partnership will bring to participating youth will be an important boost toward a brighter future,” said USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II. “USAID remains committed to working with our partners in government and the private sector to ensure that economic growth is inclusive and sustainable for all.”

PBEd Chair Ramon del Rosario said the partnership will meaningfully impact the lives of underprivileged young Filipinos who are in dire need of learning and livelihood opportunities at this time. “We are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the OVP’s and USAID’s commitment to support our trainees will empower young Pinoys who are disproportionately affected by this crisis,” del Rosario said.

To apply for YouthWorks PH, visit https://youthworks.pbed.ph/trainee-registration/form.