A regional program has been launched recently to equip Filipino youth, that makes up over 45.1 percent of the country’s labor force, with 21st-century skills needed to be competitive in the Asean region.
The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) brings technological advancements that are changing the nature of work. This rapidly changing landscape requires young people to develop 21st-century skills in order to adapt and thrive not only in the Philippines but as part of the Asean Economic Community, which aspires to be the fourth largest economic bloc by 2030.
According to experts, the evolving job landscape and Asean integration pose opportunities and challenges for young Filipinos.
To help Filipino youth be #AseanReady and take advantage of opportunities in the 4IR, the Asean Youth Community, a regional youth empowerment program based in Singapore, recently launched its presence in the Philippines through its local partner YGOAL, Inc., a social enterprise specializing in training, working closely with the private sector.
AYC promotes the idea that young people can develop 21st century skills and be competitive in the region if they are bridging leaders first in their local communities.
“We have to empower young people to gain skills ready for emerging industries in Asean, without leaving behind youth in local communities with limited access to opportunities,” said AYC program chairman Delane Lim.
The strategy of AYC is to establish its presence across Asean countries by collaborating with the public and private sector with a common goal of empowering the Asean youth as partners for sustainable growth.
“AYC in the Philippines aims to empower youth to be Asean Ready by enabling opportunities to increase employability and develop entrepreneurship by integrating 21st-century skills with leadership practice in community development,” said AYC country director and YGOAL president JR Demecais.
To be guided and aligned with existing initiatives for 21st century skills in the 4IR, youth empowerment, and Asean community building, AYC actively seeks the mentorship of a network of enablers to coordinate its efforts across regional organizations, such as the ASEAN Foundation, UN Asia-Pacific youth interagency network, and Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation.
For its initial campaign, AYC Philippines will hold a three-day pilot boot camp on Nov. 15-17 across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This will serve as an avenue to develop design thinking, creative collaboration, leadership, and community development.
The program will also provide participants opportunity to practice what they have learned through community immersion with social entrepreneurs or to apply for an internship in AYC’s partner companies in the Philippines and other Asean countries. Anyone between 19 and 40 years old may apply for AYC’s boot camp.
Visit www.aseanready.org to learn more about AYC and its activities.
