SM Foundation Upskill-to-Work program ensures jobs for underserved youth

SM Foundation has launched the first two tracks of its Upskill-to-Work Scholarship Program that provides underserved young Filipinos with industry-specific skills training and guaranteed full-time employment within the SM Group upon graduation and certification.

In the first track launched on 17 August at Tagaytay Highlands, SM Foundation and partners Highlands Prime Inc. (HPI) and Costa del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI) formalized partnerships with officials of five contractor companies that will provide employment opportunities for scholars pursuing construction and electrical trades. The contractors are FMJ Marketing & Electrical Services, Jethrock Construction Corporation, Megabuilders & Building Care Services Corp., Radja Builders & Enterprise and Rizhle Construction & Development Corporation.

Scholars in this track will undergo training at Don Bosco One TVET Technical-Vocational School, a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-certified institution, before moving into jobs supporting ongoing projects under HPI and CDHI.

“Over the course of two weeks, with the help of our partner school, Don Bosco, you will acquire skills that you can use to secure a decent job,” Arlene Keh, trustee of SM Foundation and one of the program’s champions, told the scholars.

The scholars elected their own class beadle, a peer chosen to lead discussions and help keep the group on track. It is a small but deliberate structure integrated into the program, giving scholars an early, hands-on opportunity to practice leadership, collaboration and teamwork among themselves, well before their first day on the job.

On 24 August, SM Foundation and SM Retail launched the second track at SM Retail’s headquarters, welcoming the company’s first batch of 19 scholars into an intensive two-month training program leading to a TESDA-accredited NC II Retail Customer Service Certification. Training will be conducted directly by SM Retail’s HR and Training team. Upon completion, scholars will be offered jobs and deployed to SM Retail stores across Metro Manila.

“In this program, you will learn the value of drive, enthusiasm and grit. The job isn’t easy, but you need to love the work,” Leny Hernandez, SM senior vice president for human resources SM Retail, told the scholars. 

“Gain knowledge, upskill, and learn to love the job,” Hernandez added.

The Upskill-to-Work Scholarship Program is designed to give underserved Filipino youth a secure path from training to full-time employment, while preparing them not only for the jobs of tomorrow, but also to become confident, capable, and purpose-driven members of the workforce long after their training ends. The first batch for the program will benefit more than 260 scholars nationwide, all of whom will have the chance to work in SM business units: SM Retail (SMRI), SM Development Corporation, HPI, CDHI, Goldilocks and Brownies. 

“SM Foundation currently has 3,500 college scholars enrolled in over 200 colleges and universities nationwide; however, we have identified a sector that has not yet been reached — young people who are neither in college nor employed,” Linda Atayde, SMFI executive director for education, said of the program’s rationale.

“Many employers across various industries are looking for workers, but young people often lack the necessary skills to get hired. They also do not possess certifications of their competence, such as TESDA’s NCII level,” according to Atayde.

“Don’t be afraid to dream about who you want to become in the future. Persevere and work hard, because this first job of ours is just the beginning,” Keh said.