There is the private sector-led training programme, SkillsUpNet Philippines. The initiative seeks to upskill about 5,000 dislocated workers. The funding would also see annual job placements enhanced by 120,000. This would come through public employment service offices throughout local government units. The bulk of the effort will be under the JobStart Philippines programme-which provides a platform for upskilling for youth employment and entrepreneurship. The Philippine government also focuses on enhancing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs, targeting women's increased participation in the workforce.
One of the significant features of this program is that it concentrates on emerging sectors, including AI and software development. ADB's continued support demonstrates its intention to ensure the Filipino workforce will be ready for the future labor market and, more importantly, be inclusive in nature. It is through an all-encompassing set of programs that the Philippines will try to build its skilled workforce and be able to meet the high-growth sector's demands.
On the other side of the world, Lesotho is equally making significant strides in youth employment with the graduation of 23 students from the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC). The program, in partnership with the National University of Lesotho (NUL), is focused on equipping young people with digital economy skills such as coding, programming, and AI, in order to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The graduation, which took place in Lesotho, set a very major milestone for students of the SIC program with their newly found skills. She was one of the graduates with Reabetsoe Mapeshoane of the program stating that "It is today marked as the achievement of months working hard, putting in effort to learn, plus the skills that we have come to gain all through this particular program open different career pathways".
SIC is part of Samsung's global initiative to uplift youth by providing digital economy education and empowering the next generation of innovators. Samsung's collaboration with NUL represents a critical step in transforming Lesotho's educational landscape, particularly in the technology sector. According to Vice Chancellor of NUL Prof. Issac Olusola Fajana, "This collaboration is a great milestone for our university and Lesotho as a whole. It provides opportunities for our students to tap into the minds of the best innovators in global industries, making them agents of change in the world of technology".
Lefa Makgato, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Southern Africa at Samsung, said, "At Samsung, we believe that education is one's passport to a better life. The mission of the Samsung Innovation Campus is not to simply teach technical skills but rather foster the next generation of innovators".
Both initiatives underscore the critical importance of investing in youth skills as a means of driving economic growth and reducing unemployment. The Philippines, through its labor market-focused initiatives, and Lesotho, through its partnership with global tech giants, are laying the foundations for sustainable development and resilience in their economies. These efforts will prepare young people for the challenges of a rapidly evolving workforce and create opportunities for long-term success.
As these two nations continue in their efforts toward the empowerment of youths, hope remains that these steps will serve as models for other nations struggling in similar fashions. The Philippines and Lesotho enhance education and offer job training; thus, each nation takes the proactive approach towards a better economic future while their youth is readied to serve the world's economy.
