SDG jobs make sense

MakeSense Asia is one of the winners of the 2024 Le Trophee Bleu Business Sustainability Award. The non-profit organization earned the recognition in the Sustainable Excellence in SME category from the French business community in the country, CCI France Philippines, for its unique program of empowering the youth to sustain themselves and the planet at the same time.

On the website of MakeSense Asia is a job board where jobseekers can find employment related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations. For example, it lists renewable energy companies or an enterprise that transforms recovered textile waste into wearable products. There are also career opportunities from the Salvation Army and Doctors Without Borders.

“If I talk about what MakeSense does, our goal is very simple: to have every actor in society, every person involved in creating social or environmental impact. And to give you an example of any actor, it really means anyone. We believe that anyone can be someone who creates change,” Carlos Hechenova, director for development of MakeSense Asia, said.

MakeSense Asia primarily focuses on climate action, social entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.

Its climate programs focus on renewable energy, circular economy practices with local government units (LGUs) and private sectors, and combating single-use plastics. It also offers support to startups of budding changemakers.

Re-entering the workforce

What eventually clinched the award for MakeSense was its RISEForYouth initiative.

RISE is short for Reducing Inequalities and Skills Employment. It emerged at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to address rising youth unemployment. The program targets underserved youth, including those who age out of orphanages, live below the poverty line, or face barriers like early parenthood.

“These are young people left to their own devices, without access to decent jobs,” explained Angeli Recella, MakeSense Asia’s co-executive director.

Hechanova recalled the grim unemployment statistics during the pandemic.

“It was really bad,” he said. “Youth unemployment was even worse compared to the general rate because the sectors hardest hit — hotels and food services — were where most young people were employed.”

To bridge the gap, MakeSense Asia focused on equipping the youth with the tools they needed to reenter the workforce. Over one million young individuals gained access to free resources, while job fairs, resume-building workshops and mock interviews prepared them to be hired.

From upskilling beneficiaries in soft and hard skills, to assisting with documentation, to curating job fairs that result in on-the-spot hires, MakeSense Asia ensures no one is left behind.

The group organizes in-person job fairs across Luzon and Visayas, connecting thousands of young people to decent jobs, including hundred who are hired on the spot.

The job fairs are organized in partnerships with stakeholders like the Public Employment Services Offices.

Even after the job fairs and workshops, MakeSense Asia stays connected. Through a Facebook group, they continue to support and follow up with beneficiaries, ensuring sustained progress.

Hechanova and Recella recalled instances where they bump into individuals they trained and are now successfully working in different establishments that gives them a sense of fulfillment.

“Next year, we’ll focus on AI (artificial intelligence) skills, helping the youth leverage technology for employment,” Hechanova revealed. “In the next four to five years, we aim to expand our impact beyond the Philippines.”

But their ultimate vision? To become obsolete.

“That’s the ideal world,” said Recella. “A world where organizations like ours aren’t needed because systems are already in place to ensure equality and opportunity for everyone.”

Until then, MakeSense Asia continues to lead with one mission: to transform lives and ensure that every step they take creates ripples of change.