THE Philippine Business for Education renewed its partnership with the local governments of Arteche town in Eastern Samar and Samar province, for another year of its “JobsNext” program, which provides young Filipinos much needed training and upskilling for jobs of the future.

JobsNext is a skills training program supported by Citi Foundation, which aims to bridge the skills gap of the unemployed youth in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and even green skills. Green skills are technical knowledge and expertise contributing to an environmentally sustainable workplace.

“When we started the ‘JobsNext’ dream, we knew it wouldn’t be easy. This is why we sought to launch the pilot program with our local government partners. Through the combined efforts and collaboration of the public and the private sector, the dream of empowering Filipino youth looking for employment, has come true,” said PBEd Executive Director Justine Raagas.

PBEd, supported by Citi Foundation, implemented workforce development programs such as First Future and the pilot run of JobsNext, to provide youth with sufficient skills and knowledge that will enable them to be hired for the jobs that are currently in demand and will be much needed in the future.

“At Citi, we have a long track record of using our resources and expertise to empower the communities we serve. Through the efforts of Citi Foundation and Citi Philippines, we hope to continue to enable growth and economic progress in support of our Filipino youth,” said Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila.

In 2023, PBEd, through the pilot of the “JobsNext” program, was able to forge partnerships with seven local government units and provide training for over 1,500 youths. This year, they aim to train at least 1,000 young Filipinos in the Eastern Samar and Samar provinces alone, providing them with skills for the next generation and wider job opportunities.

“JobsNext represents Citi Foundation and PBEd’s shared vision of empowering the youth and creating pathways to success. We recognize the immense potential that our young people hold, and we want to equip them with the opportunities that will help them become more competitive and responsive,” added Favila.

The program is now on its second run in Eastern Visayas, and as part of its commitment, the local government of Arteche has pledged to ensure a stable internet connection for training sites, while the provincial government of Samar has pledged to provide more funding that will help establish six more “JobsNext” hubs across the province.

The “JobsNext” hubs will give the participants in the program free access to digital devices and internet connectivity for their training.

“In an era where industries are rapidly evolving, it’s important to equip our youth with the tools that will prepare them for the jobs of the future. This initiative is a testament to our belief in the potential of every young individual in our community,” said Arteche Vice Mayor Rolando Evardone.

“If we do not engage with the demands of digitization, we will be left behind. I hope our youth will take advantage of this opportunity,” added Samar Province Gov. Sharee Ann Tan.”