The Board of Investments (BOI) said Tuesday it signed a memorandum of understanding with DevConnect Philippines Inc. (DEVCON) to develop critical and foundational skills in engineering and technology starting from the basic education level, making the young Filipino workforce prepared and highly employable in line with the needs of Philippine industries.
Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo signed the MOU with DEVCON president and founder Winston Damarillo and executive director Dominique De Leon on Feb. 27, 2025.
DEVCON is a non-stock, non-profit organization with 11 community chapters nationwide committed to inspiring the next generation and empowering Filipinos with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. It is the largest community of IT students, professional developers and tech enthusiasts in the country.
“This MOU signifies a major advancement in our efforts to build a stronger talent pool, in close collaboration with the private sector. We are dedicated to working with DEVCON to implement strategic initiatives that will ignite interest in Science and Technology among our future workforce, thereby addressing the decline of enrollees in engineering and other related fields,” said Rodolfo.
“This is crucial for empowering our IT, Semiconductor and Electronics, and other priority industries in need of job-ready graduates. Ultimately, this will expand our local capabilities and secure the Philippines’ position as a leading investment hub in the region for these in-demand industries,” he said.
Under the MOU, BOI and DEVCON aim to foster human capital development by providing access to essential tools, open-source technologies and expertise. This will be achieved through impactful initiatives in partnership with the academe, with core focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
The MOU also aims to advocate for lifelong learning and skills development among relevant beneficiaries, stakeholders and underserved communities, enabling them to acquire the necessary skills such as robotics, coding and software development.
BOI and DEVCON also committed to equipping these groups with the competencies needed to meet challenges.
Among the areas of collaboration under MOU is the implementation of the “Youth Can Make It Happen” campaign through the conduct of joint activities such as community promotions and campus roadshows to highlight the vital role of young Filipinos in nation-building and promoting opportunities in the priority sectors of the government.