More than 850 Filipino out-of-school and unemployed youth underwent much-needed technical-vocational training led by the United States.

Through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US government helped the out-of-school and unemployed youth to gain skills in the fields which will allow them to find employment.

The training was implemented in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), local government units, and private sector partners.

"Partnerships with local industry, including Valenzuela City’s Public Service Employment Office and the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have provided the trained youth with a pathway to employment," the US Embassy in the Philippines said Tuesday, June 28.

It was disclosed that the USAID also helped establish the Valenzuela City Youth Development Alliance, which connects youth to local businesses for employment and to other organizations, for further education and entrepreneurship opportunities.

“Youth have endless potential, and it is amazing what they can achieve with the right opportunity and support,” USAID Philippines Acting Education Director Yvette Malcioln said.

“It is easier to connect upskilled youth to local opportunities in academia, business, and entrepreneurship thanks to Valenzuela’s active Youth Development Alliance,” Malcioln added.

Last month, 96 USAID-supported youth in Valenzuela City completed their technical-vocational training in courses including computer systems servicing, food and beverage servicing, and electrical installation and maintenance through the TESDA Online Program.

Almost half of them immediately secured full-time employment with private-sector partners, the embassy said.

During lockdowns imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, USAID collaborated with TESDA to restore access to technical-vocational training in safe and inclusive ways through USAID’s flagship out-of-school youth project “Opportunity 2.0.”