SM Foundation gives 1,000 Technical-Vocational Scholarships in 2016

SM Foundation will be awarding technical-vocational scholarships to 1,000 applicants this June. This was announced by SM Foundation Executive Director for Education, Ms. Linda Atayde at the press conference for this year’s Presentation of College Scholar Graduates Event held on May 25, at the SMX Convention Center.

“Many children in this country are out of school with limited means to pursue their studies, more so find gainful employment,” said Atayde. “In the meantime, there is great demand for skilled workers in many places here and around the world.”

SM Foundation sees this opportunity to broaden its reach by providing the option of a quicker two-year technical-vocational course than the typical four year college course. Teresita Sy-Coson, vice chairperson of SM Investments Corporation, expressed her support to technical-vocational education during the 2015 Forbes Global CEO Conference held in Manila. She stated that vocational schools will help improve people’s skills allowing them to qualify and work in industries here and abroad such as the business process outsourcing (BPO) firms.

Through SM Foundation’s partner schools, courses offered are in food and beverage, automobile mechanic, fitter machinist, electro-mechanical technician and refrigeration and air-conditioning. There is a great demand for these specialized technical skills both locally and abroad.

To date, SM Foundation has supported 467 technical-vocational scholars. Each scholar enjoys full tuition subsidy in SM Foundation’s partner schools. Upon graduation, scholars are referred to industry partners for employment opportunities.