The Philippine Business for Education (PBED) is setting its sights on Iloilo Province as the next frontier for the groundbreaking JobsNext Program 2.0, a skills voucher initiative designed to empower Filipinos with the tools needed to upskill and prepare for the ever-evolving demands of the workforce.
This strategic move comes after PBED Deputy Executive Director for Programs, Hanibal Camua, and Senior Program Officer, Andrea Joi Adorio, presented the JobsNext 2.0 program to key stakeholders in Iloilo. The audience included Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Members, representatives from national government agencies, academic institutions, industry leaders, and officials from the Iloilo Provincial Government.
Camua, during the orientation, underscored the critical importance of upskilling the workforce to address the challenges posed by Industry 4.0 on the employability of the Philippine labor force. Citing a 2016 study by the International Labor Organization (ILO), he highlighted the sobering fact that by 2025, 49% of Filipinos would be at high risk of displacement due to automation. The pandemic has only exacerbated this risk, with pre-COVID projections indicating that nearly three out of ten occupations faced a high likelihood of being replaced by machines.
"We recognize the vital role of Iloilo Province in shaping the future of the Filipino youth, and we hope we could partner with you in this endeavor," expressed Camua, who hails from Igbaras, Iloilo.
Adorio complemented the presentation by discussing potential areas of collaboration and outlining the necessary preparations for the execution of JobsNext in Iloilo Province. She emphasized the pivotal role of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) as the main implementing office for the program.
Among the notable participants were 4th District Board Member Rolando Distura, 3rd District Board Member Jason Gonzales, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Esara Javier, and People Management of the Philippines Iloilo Chapter President Pauline Garcia.
Before the orientation, the PBED JobsNext envoys paid a courtesy visit to Iloilo Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias. During the visit, Dr. Banias shared insights on Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr.'s flagship educational program, BES PROBINS, which stands for Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya.
The overarching goal of the JobsNext Program, aimed at equipping the workforce with skills for future jobs through collaboration with local government units, aligns with the developmental thrust of Governor Defensor. It seeks to strengthen the Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient (MoRPRoGRes) Province of Iloilo.
As PBED charts the course for JobsNext 2.0 in Iloilo, it heralds a promising future for the province, where education and skills development converge to build a workforce that is not just prepared for tomorrow's challenges but actively shaping them. (Balita Halin sa Kapitolyo)
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