U.S. supports Valenzuela City youth to upskill and find employment

The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has helped more than 850 Filipino out-of-school and unemployed youth gain much-needed technical-vocational training in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), local government units, and private sector partners.

Last month, in Valenzuela City, 96 USAID-supported youth 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.

During lockdowns imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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.”

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.

Together with the Valenzuela local government, 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,” said USAID Philippines Acting Education Director Yvette Malcioln.  “It is easier to connect upskilled youth to local opportunities in academia, business, and entrepreneurship thanks to Valenzuela’s active Youth Development Alliance.”

For the past 60 years, USAID has partnered with the Philippine government and local organizations to achieve shared development goals, investing more than Php247.5 billion ($5.1 billion) to support the Philippines.