Enterprise
21 Youth Trainees Begin Their OJT Journey with Jollibee Group
The inaugural batch of youth trainees under the Jollibee Group Foundation’s (JGF) Access, Curriculum, and Employability (ACE) Program and YouthWorks PH is set to begin their on-the-job training at select Jollibee, Chowking, and Greenwich stores in Cebu. This program is a collaboration between the Jollibee Group, Primary Structures Educational Foundation, Inc. – School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership, and Service (PSEFI-SKILLS), Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The 21 “Not in Education, Employment, or Training” (NEET) youth trainees are starting their work-based training at Jollibee Group stores. This follows 10 weeks of classroom training funded by Jollibee Group, which covered the trainees’ allowances and accommodation. Additionally, Jollibee Group and JGF collaborated with PSEFI-SKILLS to develop the curriculum for the Quick Service Restaurant Operations (QSRO) track, aimed at addressing the need for professional training in the food service industry.
The QSRO is one of two tracks under the ACE Scholarship Program; the other focuses on agriculture, in partnership with technical-vocational training institutions, to provide youth from low-income families the opportunity to continue their education and improve their livelihoods.
The Supervised Industry Learning (SIL) component of the YouthWorks PH program will run from September to December 2024. During this phase, trainees will work alongside experienced store managers and crew members at Jollibee Group stores, undertaking tasks such as customer service, food handling, cleanliness and sanitation, and other operational procedures.
Launched in 2018, YouthWorks PH is a private sector initiative aimed at increasing access to quality training and employment opportunities for unemployed and out-of-school Filipino youth.
During the kick-off event on September 23 at Jollibee Parkmall in Mandaue City, Ruth Angeles, Chief Human Resources Officer for Jollibee Group Philippines, emphasized the importance of SIL for the trainees.
“We are excited to welcome our trainees into the next phase of their program, where they will gain hands-on experience as skilled service crew. This part is crucial because it puts them in real-world situations and gives them the practical skills they need to handle the challenges of their job,” said Angeles.
JGF President Gisela Tiongson highlighted the importance of investing in the future of the youth and creating pathways for their success.“This initiative reflects our commitment to drive social change and open up more opportunities to help the next generation succeed and reach their dreams,” said Tiongson. “At Jollibee Group and JGF, we believe that by investing in youth education, we can build a more inclusive and resilient society where more people have a chance at a better life.”
Jessa Marie Jumao-as, one of the YouthWorks PH program trainees, described the workforce development training as a “transformative gift.” Before joining the program, she was part of a cleaning service group, which helped her realize her passion for jobs that involve interacting with people.
“I am very grateful to Jollibee Group and PSEFI-SKILLS for giving me the opportunity to become one of the ACE scholars and trainees of the YouthWorks PH program of PBED and USAID. I am grateful to them because they taught me new skills to be able to work in the food and beverage sector, and to have a better future. This has been a transformative experience,” said Jumao-as.
Youth unemployment is at 11.2%, despite the high number of vacancies in different industries.
“We are elated to see the pilot batch of 21 out-of-school youth in Cebu City jumpstart this opportunity. This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we break down silos and work together. When government, businesses, educators, and communities join forces, we can empower young people, unlock their potential, and build a brighter future for all,” said Executive Director of PBED Justine Raagas.
To continue improving the skills and opening more opportunities for more NEET youth trainees, Jollibee Group and JGF, together with PSEFI-SKILLS, PBEd and USAID, will continue to expand the ACE Scholarship and YouthWorks PH programs by bringing it closer to more trainees in other parts of the country.
