The US Agency for International Development (USAID) gathered about 200 top business leaders and representatives from governmental and civil society sectors to promote and pursue a program that will empower out-of-school youth to become the backbone of the Philippine economy.
The USAID conducted its second "Opportunity 2.0 Private Sector Summit" in Makati City last Sept. 6, with the theme "Forging the Future: Collaborating Beyond Impact with the Gen Z at Work."
During the summit, industry partners, national and local government officials, and upskilled Opportunity 2.0 youth organized panel discussions where they shared their best strategies for developing their interpersonal and work ethics.
The policy ideas they put forth during the breakout sessions included industry mapping, multi-sectoral capacity building, and potential contracts and incentives with the private sector that would encourage them to increase job opportunities for out-of-school youth in their respective local communities.
“Opportunity 2.0 has struck me as a helpful tool for our efforts in shaping the development of the youth. Such interventions must be given national coverage to provide protection to all the out-of-school youth (OSY) of the country. Congress will play a pivotal role in institutionalizing these programs for all Filipino OSYs,” Isabela 5th District Rep. Mike Dy said.
The summit stressed the significance of promoting chances for upskilling among out-of-school youth through national policies like the Magna Carta of the Out of School Youth, which is persistently promoted in both Houses of Congress.
“The Magna Carta envisions greater cooperation between various government agencies that have the power to pursue programs which are favorable to our youth,” Committee on Youth chairperson Sen. Sonny Angara said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Thomas LeBlanc, director of USAID's Office of Education, praised Opportunity 2.0's academic, government, and business sector partners for their assistance in “laying the groundwork that will strengthen education, training, and career opportunities for our youth at the national and local scale.”
“With this active collaboration, we have facilitated many of our youth to further education, helped them get into jobs, and even start their own small businesses,” LeBlanc said.
He also added, “there is a dire need to institutionalize these initiatives so that the young generation can inherit a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future.”
Opportunity 2.0 has engaged at least 1,346 private sector partners across the country since its debut in 2020, including 18 business groups and organizations, 217 big companies, and 950 micro-small and medium-sized businesses.
The program has so far reached 37,504 young people, helping to pave the way for them to land lucrative jobs and business ventures.
The Opportunity 2.0 program of USAID works in 15 locations around the country to persuade local companies to welcome job-ready young individuals who are not currently enrolled in school. This initiative is carried out by the Education Development Center in the United States, Philippine Business for Education, Accenture, Catholic Relief Services, Voluntary Services Overseas, and SEAMEO INNOTECH.
Through partnerships with more than 2,200 employers and at least 50 educational or training institutions, the program aims to improve services for out-of-school youth and connect them to second-chance opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. (Ma. Joselie C. Garcia)