Equipping youth for future-ready jobs

JobsNext aims to empower Filipino youth (ages 18-24) with the skills required for the jobs of the future. In partnership with Citi Foundation and local government units, this initiative trains young people to harness their digital skills and improve their employability.

By the program's conclusion in 2025, it will have provided comprehensive training, incubation support, and employment assistance to thousands of young individuals, helping them secure well-compensated jobs in emerging sectors.

Empowering Filipino youth to lead productive lives and contribute to national development

YouthWorks PH is a private sector-led employability program that provides opportunities to youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

From 2018 to 2025, the project was a workforce development partnership between the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

A Future That Works

A Future That Works (AFW) is a workforce development project implemented from 2020 to 2025 by Philippine Business for Education and supported by the Australian Government.

The project focused on reducing job-skills mismatch to ensure the competitiveness of industries. This is achieved through the establishment of Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), which act as the voice of the industry, promoting industry-vetted guidance such as Labor Market Information (LMI), career pathways, and strategic roadmaps.

For more industry insights and resources, visit the Sector Skills PH microsite:   Sector Skills PH Microsite

A FREE website for civic education materials

Sibika PH offers free civic education resources, including DepEd-approved modules, readings, and videos aimed at enhancing the understanding of Culture, Society, and Politics.

An early grade reading and math remediation program

Train sought to help and improve performance of K-3 learners by providing them with tablets containing an offline gamified learning app, and volunteer-led tutorial sessions. The program was piloted in Metro Cebu and Himamaylan, Negros Occidental

Upon its completion in 2023, the program significantly enhanced learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy for both Metro Cebu and Himamaylan regions.

A professional development initiative for school leaders

GO & LEAD aims to equip school leaders with the skills and systems needed to effectively lead and drive continuous improvement in their schools.

Piloted in Baguio City, this initiative will serve as a model for other school divisions across the country, with the goal of improving teacher quality and learning outcomes.

A partnership for strengthening higher education and workforce development

UPSKILL aims to enhance the innovation capacities and workforce development functions of Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs), focusing on faculty development, curriculum improvements, and collaboration with industry and international partners.

Launched in 2024, and ended in 2025, the initiative was implemented by RTI International in collaboration with leading U.S. universities and Philippine partners such as Edukasyon.ph and the Philippine Business for Education.

Empowering Filipino youth for the digital age

Future Skills Now aims to equip Filipino youth from Metro Manila and Cebu with the necessary digital skills to succeed in the rapidly evolving job market.

Upon its completion in 2024, the initiative was able to train a substantial number of youth and engaged with diverse stakeholders, ultimately helping youth secure jobs in the digital sector.

Project RISE UP

RISE UP is designed to equip underprivileged Filipino youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the Fifth Industrial Revolution (IR 5.0). The project helps ensure that students are prepared to participate in a rapidly evolving job market shaped by human-centric technology and innovation.

In partnership with Wells Fargo, RISE UP focuses on training, certifying, and employing youth to bridge the gap between education and employment, and to help build a more inclusive workforce for the future.

The First Future Project

The First Future Project was a pioneering private sector initiative that supported K to 12 students and graduates by providing real-world work immersion and job opportunities. Implemented from 2018 to 2021, it bridged the gap between education and employment by connecting companies, schools, and students.

Funded by the Citi Foundation under the global Pathways to Progress initiative, the project helped prepare young Filipinos for the workforce by equipping them with essential skills and first-hand experience, building not just better workers—but better citizens.

The Jumpstart Project

The Jumpstart Project is a scholarship and work-readiness initiative developed by PBEd in partnership with Accenture Philippines. The project integrated an industry-designed curriculum—such as the IT-BPO service management program—into the Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) strand for senior high school students.

Through a collaboration with APEC Schools, 115 Grade 12 students received both financial and academic support to complete this specialized track, gain workplace-ready skills via online modules, and transition smoothly into formal employment opportunities.

Project HIRE

Project HIRE (Human Capital Investment for Work Readiness and Employment) is a youth employability program designed for out-of-school youth, offering mentorship on life and technical skills from professionals, along with training subsidies to help participants upskill and prepare for gainful employment.

Supported by Wells Fargo, Project HIRE was implemented from June 2023 to September 2024 in South Cotabato (Mindanao) and Pasig City (Metro Manila), empowering young Filipinos to successfully transition into the workforce.

USAID Opportunity 2.0

USAID Opportunity 2.0 provided a second chance for out-of-school youth by creating pathways to education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Designed in partnership with DepEd and TESDA, and implemented by Education Development Center, the program worked closely with Accenture, Catholic Relief Services, Philippine Business for Education, SEAMEO INNOTECH, and VSO to build long-term, inclusive opportunities.

The project ran from 2020 to 2024, helping youth build essential life and work-readiness skills while fostering collaboration between education institutions, government agencies, and private sector partners to open doors for meaningful employment.