The provincial government and a nongovernment organization, Philippine Business for Education (PBeD), inked an understanding that will equip over 100 youth 18 to 24 years old in Iloilo with skills on jobs of the future through the JobsNext program.

“JobsNext is a skills voucher program. It aims to equip the workforce with skills for jobs of the future in collaboration with local government units, where they chose the province of Iloilo as a partner,” Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager Francisco Heler Jr., whose office is tasked to implement the program, said in an interview on Wednesday.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and PBeD Executive Director Justine Raagas signed the memorandum of understanding, witnessed by Board Member Jason Gonzales, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Esara Javier, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, academe, and industry partners at the provincial capitol board room on Monday.

Through the program, trainees will undergo free training starting with foundational skills, including problem solving, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and lifelong learning.

Thereafter, they will proceed on learning tracks like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, software development, systems administration, data analytics, cyber security, entrepreneurship, and project management.

“At the heart of JobsNext is an upskilling program. Meaning to say it foresees jobs that will be lost (due to AI),” said Gonzales, the committee on education and information vice chairperson at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

He said using AI is “foundational, moving forward” because various institutions, research agencies, and consulting firms are saying that at least half of the current jobs in the market will be rendered obsolete.

The provincial government and PBeD will share data, coordinate projects, involve local companies and schools, promote activities, and develop policies to expand youth skills training.

The program will run until December this year.

Those who can complete the program will undergo an assessment by the service provider. Once they pass, they will be given certificates.

“This is now become part of employment. It cuts across all sectors. This is the emerging trend that we have to face, that digitalization is already part of our life,” he said. (PNA)