Bridging the Gap: Turning TechVoc Scholars into Industry Builders

Scholars and partners formalize the Upskill-to-Work program at Tagaytay Highlands. By aligning technical-vocational training with industry-demand skills, the program empowers the youth to become active drivers of economic growth.

The pioneer batch of Upskill-to-Work scholars gathers at the SM Retail Headquarters in Pasay City. This milestone marks their first step toward securing full-time employment and becoming productive contributors to the country's vibrant retail economy.

SM Foundation launched the first two tracks of its Upskill-to-Work Scholarship Program this August, partnering with Highlands Prime Inc. (HPI) and Costa del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI) on August 17 in Tagaytay Highlands and with SM Retail on August 24 at SM Retail Headquarters in Pasay City. The program provides underserved young Filipinos with industry-specific skills training and guaranteed full-time employment within the SM Group upon certification.

The program addresses the persistent gap between education, skills, and industry needs through a demand-driven approach that begins with identifying workforce requirements, followed by targeted skills training and certification, and ultimately deployment to full-time employment. This is anchored on the program’s core principle, “Aral ngayon, trabaho bukas.”

Each industry track is built around specific SM business units’ hiring needs, with each business unit committing in advance to employ scholars who complete training.

A trainer guides scholars through hands-on electrical wiring practice. These sessions signify the 'laying of the groundwork’, equipping underserved youth with the industry-ready skills needed to secure immediate employment.

The first track launched on August 17 at Tagaytay Highlands, where SM Foundation, HPI, and CDHI formalized partnerships with five contractor companies that will provide employment opportunities for scholars pursuing construction and electrical trades: FMJ Marketing & Electrical Services, represented by President Ramel B. Francisco; Jethrock Construction Corporation, represented by VP for Operations Engr. Jeth Anthony M. Ybañez; Megabuilders & Building Care Services Corp., represented by CEO Pablito Constantino; Radja Builders & Enterprise, represented by owner Ricardo Daos Jr.; and Rizhle Construction & Development Corporation, represented by President Emillie V. Ronquillo.

Scholars in this track will undergo training at Don Bosco One TVET Technical-Vocational School, a TESDA-certified institution, before moving into jobs supporting ongoing projects under HPI and CDHI.

“Ang SM Foundation ay kasalukuyang may 3,500 SM college scholars naka-enroll ngayon sa mahigit na dalawang  daan na colleges at universities  nationwide; ngunit  napansin namin ang isang sektor na hindi pa naaabot, ang sektor ng mga kabataan na hindi  nakakapagkolehiyo  at  walang hanapbuhay,” said Mrs. Linda Atayde, SMFI Executive Director for Education on the rationale behind the program. “Maraming naghahanap ng manggagawa sa iba’t ibang industriya pero hindi sapat ang abilidad ng mga kabataan para matanggap sila sa trabaho. Wala rin silang hawak na katibayan ng kanilang kasanayan kagaya ng  NCII level ng TESDA,” she added.

Ms. Arlene Keh, trustee of SM Foundation and one of the program’s champions, echoed that same spirit in her inspirational address to the scholars. 

“Wag kayong matakot mangarap kung anong gusto niyong maging sa kinabukasan. Magtiyaga at magsipag dahil itong unang trabaho natin, umpisa pa lamang ito,” said Keh. “Sa loob ng dalawang linggo, sa tulong ng ating partner school na Don Bosco, magkakaroon kayo ng skills na maari niyong gamitin para magkaroon kayo ng [maayos na] trabaho,” she added.

“Dream boldly, commit to the work” is an important value the program seeks to instill in its scholars. Hence, in each class, scholars elect their own class beadle, a peer chosen to lead discussions and help keep the group on track.

It is a small but deliberate structure integrated into the program, giving scholars an early, hands-on opportunity to practice leadership, collaboration, and teamwork among themselves, well before their first day on the job.

SM Retail Vice President for Human Resources Maria Teresa Portillo orients the scholars on retail customer service. By learning directly from corporate practitioners, these youth are equipped with the key competencies needed to thrive and contribute immediately upon deployment.

On August 24, SM Foundation and SM Retail launched the second track at SM Retail's headquarters, welcoming the company's first batch of 19 scholars into an intensive two-month training program leading to a TESDA-accredited NC II Retail Customer Service Certification. Training will be conducted directly by SM Retail's HR and Training team. Upon completion, scholars will be offered jobs and deployed to SM Retail stores across Metro Manila.

Sa programang ito, matutunan niyo ang value of drive, enthusiasm, and grit. Hindi madali ang trabaho, pero kailangan mahalin ang trabaho,” Leny Hernandez, SM Sr. Vice President for Human Resources SM Retail, shared in her speech. 

“Magdagdag ng kaalaman, mag upskill, at [matutunang] mahalin ang trabaho,” she added, referring to what the scholars will gain from the program.

Both launches fall under the program's first nationwide batch, which offers more than 260 scholarship slots in partnership with SM business units: SM Retail (SMRI), SM Development Corporation (SMDC), HPI, CDHI, Goldilocks, and Brownies. 

Stakeholders unite for the launch of the Upskill-to-Work Scholarship Program. SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy (center, seated), to her right is Ms. Arlene Keh, Board Trustee of SM Foundation, together with SM Foundation officers and industry partners, welcomes the first cohort of scholars who are set to be trained and equipped with industry-demand skills.

Representatives from the SM Foundation Education Team and SM Retail together with the pioneer batch of retail scholars, bridging the gap between education support and industry-demanded skills for the scholars.

The program is designed to give underserved Filipino youth a secure path from training to full-time employment, while preparing them not only for the jobs of tomorrow, but also to become confident, capable, and purpose-driven members of the workforce long after their training ends.