Local Talent, Global Impact: The EY GDS Vision for Supporting Next-Gen Filipino Professionals

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) transforming industries and communities worldwide, the next generation of professionals is all set to play a key role in shaping its future. EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS), a network of over 74,000 people working across nine locations to provide innovative and strategic business solutions to EY member firms and EY clients worldwide, is at the forefront of this movement through its leading-edge training, strategic partnerships and real-world applications.

Cebu, in particular, stands as a key hub for EY GDS in the country, fostering a thriving talent pool that contributes to AI-driven solutions. It has nurtured talent from diverse backgrounds and leveraged its network across the globe. Its vision extends beyond individual career growth — supporting professionals to drive meaningful change in AI-driven industries.

EY GDS Philippines Consulting Leader Raymond Go mentions that building a strong talent pipeline through EY GDS’s collaborations with key universities has been invaluable to scaling the organization’s Consulting team nationwide. “Cebu’s thriving tech ecosystem provides an excellent regional hub to recruit and develop the next generation of consulting professionals, particularly in practices such as Data and AI, Digital Engineering, SAP, Cybersecurity and ServiceNow. We have attracted and developed talented people and business leaders – we’ve already grown the Consulting team in Cebu to more than 200 since we started operating in the region,” Go says.

Go also shares the organization’s strategic investment in holistic talent development programs, having successfully onboarded numerous campus recruits. These new team members undergo comprehensive industry-relevant training and certifications, so that they integrate seamlessly into the EY GDS ecosystem and contribute effectively as part of the unified team.

This commitment to developing local talent is especially evident in the ServiceNow practice, where Mark Anthony Colobong, EY GDS Philippines ServiceNow Practice Leader, has witnessed firsthand the wealth of talent and creativity in both Manila and Cebu. Under his leadership, the practice has cultivated an inclusive environment where local professionals are supported to drive global innovation through open dialogue, mutual respect and collaborative problem-solving. “I make sure everyone’s voice is heard, regardless of their role or background. I encourage open discussion, celebrate all contributions and focus on understanding each other’s perspectives. That shared trust and respect really brings our team closer and fuels better collaboration,” says Colobong.

Driving meaningful impact through tech upskilling and mentoring

Cebu’s growing tech ecosystem presents both opportunities and challenges for professionals looking to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Go emphasizes that in today’s rapidly evolving landscape, professionals must cultivate future-focused skillsets to maintain their relevance. This includes developing competencies in digital and technical areas, data and AI, interpersonal communication, learning agility and customer centricity.

Building on these essential skills, success in the global marketplace requires effectively combining international strategies with local knowledge. Raymond Go points out that Cebu’s workforce brings distinct advantages to this equation, including their natural tech-savviness, high engagement levels and enthusiasm for learning. He stresses the importance of developing strong local leadership to help empower teams in implementing global standards while providing access to leading class learning opportunities and leading-edge client engagements worldwide.

While technical knowledge forms the foundation, mentorship also plays a crucial role in preparing young professionals for the demands of the industry. Colobong believes that the right mindset is just as important as technical knowledge. “The most successful students demonstrate curiosity, adaptability and a solutions-oriented mindset. In my mentorship, I focus on nurturing these traits alongside technical mastery to cultivate well-rounded, future-ready talent,” he shares.

As an example, both Go and Colobong have collaborated with various universities in Cebu through the EY GDS Academia Program, a genuine grassroots initiative benefiting everyone involved – students, universities and EY GDS. “Through the EY GDS Academia Program, we collaborate with universities to cultivate students’ tech skills and nurture their development as future industry leaders. This hands-on training prepares the next generation to innovate with confidence,” said Go. “We have a very robust grassroots innovation program – we run our own hackathons such as EYdeate and we also join industry hackathons, where we encourage deep technical talent development via industry certifications. By doing this, our teams become part of building future EY solutions.”

“We help students gain practical skills, the universities stay industry ready, and EY GDS grows a well-prepared talent pool that we can hire after graduation. It’s a powerful initiative to cultivate a workforce ready to meet the needs of the ever-evolving tech industry,” added Colobong.

The experience of Jessa Alon, a Gen Z professional, aligns with what both Go and Colobong stated. Alon highlights how EY GDS’s upskilling and leadership development programs have been instrumental in helping empower local professionals like herself. Through these initiatives, she and her colleagues have gained both the technical capabilities and mindset needed to drive innovation within their organization. Alon remains committed to leveraging these skills within EY GDS’s supportive and dynamic environment, leading by example and developing creative solutions that help deliver lasting impact.

For Alon, EY GDS actively supports community initiatives in Cebu – from youth mentorship programs to environmental sustainability projects. “Our people also volunteer their time and experience to uplift the local economy and society,” she said. Looking ahead, she envisions an expanded role for EY GDS in community development and advocates for increased participation from other organizations in these initiatives, recognizing that collaborative efforts can generate more significant impact and contribute to Cebu’s prosperous future.

Integrating AI and work-life balance

In addition to tech upskilling and mentorship, Raymond Go highlights how AI can be effectively aligned with environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices – an approach particularly relevant to businesses in Cebu. “AI is transforming ESG practices by helping businesses manage carbon footprint reduction, leading to fair hiring through unbiased candidate screening and promoting ethical governance with transparent data policies and inclusive AI frameworks, particularly in Cebu’s growing business sector,” he said.

Work-life balance is another essential factor in enabling long-term success, particularly for Gen Z professionals. Colobong, who is also the EY GDS Philippines Sports Hub Leader, says that he understands the importance of integrating health and wellness into the workplace.

The organization’s commitment to the wellbeing of its professionals is reflected in their comprehensive health and wellness programs, which he notes are essential for maintaining the energy and focus required for complex technology projects. This approach is particularly valuable for their Gen Z workforce, creating an environment where they can achieve long-term success while pursuing their personal interests.

To support this, he collaborates with sports club leaders to organize activities that align with each professional’s interests and schedules. “In my team, other than sports, we also hold wellness check-ins and initiatives to encourage open dialogue about our wellbeing. This approach is especially vital for Gen Z professionals, helping them thrive over the long run in our fast-paced tech environment,” he added.

With these initiatives in place, joining EY GDS Philippines Cebu becomes more than just a career move – it’s an opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking organization that prioritizes growth, innovation and community. “Joining the EY GDS Philippines Cebu center opens doors to growth and development opportunities. Embrace the culture of innovation, continuous learning and giving back to the community – it will help shape your future with confidence,” said Alon. (MCN)