With more Filipinos engaging in freelance work and managing multiple income streams, flexible and skill-based education has emerged as a crucial support system for working students and professionals navigating the country’s fast-evolving gig economy.
In response to this growing demand, Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC) has introduced Career Leap Pad, a fully online certification program offering affordable, short-term courses designed to equip learners with industry-relevant skills and enhance their competitiveness in today’s labor market.
The program features a variety of certification courses tailored for individuals balancing work, studies, or freelance engagements, providing accessible and practical pathways for upskilling and career advancement.
Courses include Virtual Assistance, Google Digital Marketing and E-Commerce, Adobe Content Creation, IBM Data Analytics, and Meta Social Media Marketing.
Each course is designed to be completed within two to three months, with fees ranging from P3,000 to P9,000.
Enrollment is open from the 1st to the 20th of each month, with classes beginning on the 1st of the following month.
The inaugural batch is scheduled to start on April 1, 2025.
“Career Leap Pad empowers professionals and those aspiring to become professionals in the gig economy to take control of their career growth and achieve lasting success,” said MMDC Vice President Jenny Velasco-Chua, noting that the program is particularly suited for non-graduate professionals and working students who seek to enhance their skills without compromising their work schedules.
Flexible learning with career support
Delivered through Coursera, a leading global online learning platform, Career Leap Pad combines internationally recognized course content with localized support services, including AI-assisted learning tools, self-paced modules, and personalized guidance from dedicated learning coaches.
These coaches provide one-on-one support to help students fulfill course requirements and maximize available learning resources.
To further assist learners, MMDC offers career placement services such as resume writing support, interview preparation, and employer connections.
This holistic approach bridges the gap between education and employment, enabling students—particularly those managing multiple roles—to gain practical competencies and transition smoothly into the workforce.
Industry-aligned training through partnerships
MMDC works closely with industry leaders and employers to ensure its course offerings remain aligned with evolving market demands, providing learners with skills that are both relevant and in demand.
Partnerships with companies such as Concentrix and the Ayala Group create opportunities for internships, mentorships, and potential employment, reflecting MMDC’s commitment to supporting the career growth of working students and freelancers.
Step Up sa Pangarap: Advocating for working students
Career Leap Pad is part of MMDC’s broader advocacy campaign, Step Up sa Pangarap, which underscores the challenges faced by working students—including long hours, academic inflexibility, and financial limitations—and calls for collaborative support from employers, educators, and communities to create enabling environments for their success.
Through relevant training and a learner-focused approach, MMDC aims to empower working students not only to meet the demands of the gig economy but also to build sustainable, long-term careers.
Contributing to national development through upskilling
As the Philippine labor market continues to evolve, MMDC’s initiatives reflect a growing national focus on accessible, industry-aligned education that supports diverse learners in achieving their personal and professional goals.
By offering programs like Career Leap Pad, MMDC helps cultivate a more inclusive and resilient workforce, enabling Filipinos from various backgrounds to thrive in a digital-driven economy and contribute to national progress.
At a time when traditional pathways may no longer be sufficient, Career Leap Pad offers working students and freelancers real opportunities to step up sa pangarap—where ambition is supported by action, and success is brought within reach.