Tech-Voc Career Accelerator

Context and Problem

In the Philippines, 1 in 5 Filipino youth is not in education, employment, or training (NEET), mainly due to financial barriers, familial responsibilities, and time constraints. Youth NEET face continous challenges such as limited skills and qualifications, which results in unemployment and socio-economic stagnation. Moreover, COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem, increasing the school dropout rate and youth unemployment to 19% in 2021.

Solution

Tech-Voc Career Accelerator is a low-bandwidth, digitally-enabled program designed to upskill youth NEET and connect them to employment opportunities. The program has many features. First, gamified learning modules, which assist in soft skills training in problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking via a mobile-friendly platform. Second, technical training, which is carried out through industry-specific boot camps for hands-on training and high-demand roles. Third, certification and employment pathways provide opportunities for further training and direct employer connections. Lastly, awareness campaigns promote tech-voc as a viable, prestigious career pathway to combat stigma. These key features were developed with industry employers to ensure alignment with labor market needs.

Impact

By 2022, over 40,000 youth NEET were upskilled and prepared for employment. The goal by 2026 is to have over 200,000 highly employable tech-voc professionals fill workforce gaps. The program has also changed the perceptions of TVET, promoting is as a desirable, future-ready education option.

Note: further analysis will have to be carried out to understand the programs entire impact.

The Tech-Voc Career Accelerator's modular and adaptable design makes it highly replicable across diverse regions and industries, ensuring inclusivity for underserved communities through its gamified and low-bandwidth approach. Its scalability is supported by strong industry partnerships and advanced technology, enabling seamless expansion to accommodate more participants and complex operations. Telecom partnerships further enhance reach by providing free data access. The program’s focus on local talent development and alignment with industry demands ensures long-term relevance and impact, fostering a self-sustaining ecosystem that bridges the education-to-employment gap and addresses labor market needs.