The inaugural batch of youth trainees under JGF’s ACE Program and Youthworks PH is set to begin their on-the-job training in select stores of Jollibee, Chowking, and Greenwich in Cebu.
Under the Jollibee Group Foundation’s (JGF), Access, Curriculum, and Employability (ACE) Program and Youthworks PH, the first group of youth trainees will start their on-the-job training in a few Jollibee locations in Cebu, including Chowking and Greenwich. The Jollibee Group, the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Primary Structures Educational Foundation, Inc. – School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership, and Service (PSEFI-SKILLS) have partnered to create this program.
The 21 “Not in Education, Employment, or Training” (NEET) youth trainees began their work-based training in Jollibee Group stores. This was the second phase of their training, which was supported by Jollibee Group and included the trainees’ housing and allowances, following ten weeks of classroom instruction. In addition, JGF and Jollibee Group collaborated with PSEFI-SKILLS to create the Quick Service Restaurant Operations (QSRO) track curriculum, which aims to close the knowledge gap in the food service sector for professionalized staff training.
The QSRO is one of the two tracks under the ACE Scholarship Program; the other track focuses on agriculture, which is done in partnership with technical-vocational training institutions to provide youth from low-income families the opportunity to stay in school and eventually improve their livelihoods.
The Supervised Industry Learning (SIL), an aspect of the Youthworks PH program, will run from September to December 2024. During this phase, the trainees will work alongside experienced store managers and crew members within Jollibee Group stores and will undertake a range of tasks including customer service, food handling, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation, and other operational procedures.
Launched in 2018, YouthWorks PH is a private sector initiative to increase access to quality training and employment opportunities for unemployed and out-of-school Filipino youth.
During the kick-off event last 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 Jollibee Group Chief of Human Resources Officer Ruth Angeles.
Investing in the future
The 21 youth trainees will be attending an intensive three-month on-the-job training that will allow them to learn competencies in Quick Service Restaurant Operations (QSRO) at select Jollibee Group stores.
As one of JGF’s core commitments in uplifting underprivileged youth, JGF President Gisela Tiongson underscored the value 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 trainees of the YouthWorks PH program, said the workforce development training program has been a “transformative gift” for her. Prior to participating in the program, she used to be part of a cleaning service group, which made her realize that she is happy with work that deals with more 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.
Together with PSEFI-SKILLS, PBEd, and USAID, Jollibee Group and JGF will continue to expand the ACE Scholarship and YouthWorks PH programs by bringing them closer to more trainees in other regions of the nation in order to further enhance the skills and create more opportunities for more NEET youth trainees.
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