Out of School and Under 24? PH to Launch Work-based Training to Help OSY

The Philippine Business for Education with the United States Agency for International Development will soon launch a new program that will help out of school youth or OSY. The new program aims to provide them the necessary education and training with pay that will help their career.

Unlike other countries, Philippines' population consists of 50% young individuals under 30 years old. Unfortunately, the high unemployment rate in the country is a big factor in developing the potential of the youth.

Who are Qualified to Join the Program

And because of that, PBEd and USAID will launch a new program to help OSYs find work experience. It will be called YouthWorksPH and commits to start at assist at least 1,000 OSY each year. The program is open to young individuals out of school between 18 to 24 years old and has not finished grade 10.

The training will take one year where the student will undergo intensive life skill training for one month and 11 months in a company and school training. "80 percent of it will be spent at the construction site and then the 20 percent in the school where they’re enrolled," said PBEd Executive Director Love Basillote.

Qualified Students will Receive Monthly Allowance

And to keep the trainees from dropping out, they will be receiving a monthly allowance of 7,500 Pesos (To be determined regionally) that they can use however they want to. Moreover, the student can have the opportunity to be absorbed by the company they work in. If not, they will be given certificates that they can use for their future career.

The project is at its planning stage at the moment but is expected to start by the third or fourth quarter of the year in the following areas:

• Iloilo
• Davao
• Cagayan de Oro
• National Capital Region
• General Santos
• Zamboanga

The project will be implemented for 5 years but can be extended if they do a good job.