Employment program for OSY launched

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the private sector-led Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), launched late last week a five-year program that seeks to provide employment to out-of-school youth (OSY) in the country.

US Charge d’Affaires Michael Klecheski said the US government has allocated some P1.7 billion for the YouthWorks PH, a workforce development project that will connect out-ofschool youth with training and employment opportunities.

Youth unemployment in the Philippines remains high despite the “very impressive” economic growth of the country, Klecheski said.

“This partnership will boost the capacities of young people who otherwise may not have the opportunity to pursue education, training or a career, with an overall goal of helping the youth realize their potential while positively contributing to their communities,” he said during the project launch in Makati City.

The project will be implemented in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos, Iloilo, Cebu and the National Capital Region.

The project is expected to reach at least 40,000 Filipino youth and train 4,100 of them over five years so they will match better with workforce needs.

“So, in five years, we expect to see additional 35,000 young Filipinos ready for work,” Klecheski said.

Qualified for the program are Filipinos 18 to 24 years old, who are not in school, employment or training and are Grade 10 completers.