The Philippines and Lesotho are embracing bold economic development initiatives aimed at boosting employment and equipping their youth with the skills necessary for the modern workforce. These endeavors stand out as pivotal steps toward enhancing labor markets and addressing the challenges faced by young job seekers.
On the Philippine front, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently approved a notable $500 million loan intended to strengthen the labor market programs. This financial backing from ADB is directed at fulfilling the Philippine government’s ambitious goal of generating between 600,000 to 700,000 new private sector jobs each year.
The Philippine government has laid out detailed plans to not just create jobs, but also improve workforce participation particularly among vulnerable groups. The funding will facilitate training for around 5,000 displaced workers through innovative private sector-led initiatives, including SkillsUpNet Philippines. The loan will also help increase job placements by 120,000 annually, conducted through public employment service offices (PESOs) across local government units (LGUs).
A notable feature of this program is the expansion of JobStart Philippines – a scheme aimed at providing skills training and encouraging youth employment. There’s also emphasis on enhancing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to boost women's participation in the workforce. ADB's continuous commitment is to promote inclusivity within the labor market, ensuring the Filipino workforce is prepared for high-demand job markets encompassing areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and software development.
Shifting gears to Lesotho, another exciting development is taking place with the graduation of 23 students from the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), which operates in partnership with the National University of Lesotho (NUL). The intimate graduation ceremony celebrated the completion of training programs focused on equipping young minds with the necessary skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
SIC forms part of Samsung’s broader global initiative, striving to uplift youth and provide them with digital economy skills, particularly in coding, programming, and AI. Reabetsoe Mapeshoane, one of the graduates, remarked, “Today marks the culmination of months of hard work, dedication and learning. The skills and knowledge we have gained through this programme have opened new career pathways for us and I am excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Lesotho’s initiative is not merely about imparting technical know-how but also about nurturing future innovators who can lead the country’s technology sector. Prof. Issac Olusola Fajana, Vice Chancellor of NUL, expressed the significance of such partnerships, stating, “The collaboration between Samsung and NUL is a milestone for our university and for Lesotho. By offering our students access to global industry innovators and technology-focused education, we are empowering them to become catalysts of change in the tech world.”
This synergy between Samsung and NUL highlights the potential of educational partnerships to transform the lives of individuals and create opportunities for the youth of Lesotho. Samsung’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Southern Africa, Lefa Makgato, added, “At Samsung, we believe in the power of education to change lives. Our mission with the Samsung Innovation Campus is not just to teach technical skills, but to nurture the next generation of innovators.”
The initiatives undertaken by both nations represent significant commitments to youth empowerment through targeted skills investments. With the Philippine government focused on bolstering job creation and training on one side of the globe, and Lesotho's engagement with global tech giants to uplift youth skills on the other, both countries are setting the stage for inclusive economic futures.
By facilitating employment opportunities and equipping young individuals with the necessary skills to thrive, these initiatives position the Philippines and Lesotho on paths toward sustainable development and enhanced economic resilience.