With more than 1.8 billion young people in the world – half of them in the Asia-Pacific region – the potential of youth as leaders of tomorrow is undeniable. In the Philippines the Jollibee Group is committed to unlocking this potential, with a particular focus on disadvantaged communities.
Jollibee Group’s youth empowerment programs are aligned with its commitment to community support as outlined in the global sustainability agenda, Joy for tomorrow.
“For years, Jollibee Group has been committed to empowering young Filipinos through sustainable, impactful programs,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of JFC Philippines. “Together with our community partners, we continue to use our expertise to create opportunities in education, agriculture and employment.”
Creating pathways to employment
Unemployment remains a problem for many underprivileged Filipino youth, especially in a challenging economic climate. Most of them have lost their jobs or failed to find stable employment due to the impact of the pandemic. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the youth unemployment rate in the Philippines stands at 10.6% as of May 2023.
The Jollibee Group, through its social development arm Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), is partnering with Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) and USAID to launch YouthWorks PH. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by offering training to young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). The pilot of the program, with 26 youth from Cebu City, will provide job-specific training, allowances and on-the-job experience at participating Jollibee, Chowking and Greenwich stores.
“We are excited to see the pilot group of 26 out-of-school youth in Cebu City jumpstart this opportunity,” said PBEd Director Justine Raagas. “This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we break down silos and work together. When government, business, education and communities join forces, we can empower young people, unlock their potential and build a better future for all.”
Equipping young Filipinos
In partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Jollibee Group also promotes youth employment through the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES). This initiative will provide short-term employment to 900 disadvantaged youth, equipping them with essential skills for the workforce.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma underscored the importance of SPES in equipping young Filipinos with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the labor market: “When we invest in our youth, especially those from marginalized sectors, we provide them with the tools and the support they need to reach their full potential.”
“This joint effort holds tremendous promise for both the Filipino people and the national economy. By working together, we can create a brighter future full of opportunities for our young generation, where businesses thrive alongside a capable and driven workforce. We are confident that this partnership will enable countless young Filipinos to excel,” said Secretary Laguesma.
The Jollibee Group has been a long-time partner of DOLE for the SPES. Since 2015, more than 800 young people have been employed in the company’s commissaries and stores of brands such as Chowking, Greenwich and Red Ribbon.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led by Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (seated, second from right) and the Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) led by Ruth Angeles (seated, second from left) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the special program signed for Employment of Students (SPES) that will benefit 900 underprivileged students and out-of-school youth in the Philippines.
Promoting education and agriculture
This is not the first time that the Jollibee Group has taken an initiative for the marginalized youth sector. In 2005, the JGF launched the Access, Curriculum, and Employability of ACE Scholarship Program, which provides two types of educational support to disadvantaged youth: scholarships for degrees in hotel and restaurant management or business management, and technical skills training scholarships, in partnership with the Don Bosco Technical College.
In 2018, JGF partnered with Anihan Technical School to develop the Quick Service Restaurant Operations course, which includes both school and in-store training for scientists, improving not only their skills but also their employability in food service . industry.
Since the inception of the ACE Scholarship Program in 2004, JGF has provided scholarships to 2,397 students, including 1,117 students in agriculture and 139 in technical-vocational training.
The ACE Scholarship Program is in line with the United Nations’ transformative Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at bringing peace and prosperity to the world, in particular the pillars Quality Education (SDG4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8) and Reduced Inequality (SDG10 ).
Youth in agriculture
With the Philippines as an agricultural nation, Jollibee Group also recognizes the power that young farmers have to promote sustainable agricultural practices in various regions, as it continues to empower youth scientists, farmers and local farming communities across the country through its local implementing partners such as Sacred Heart. Savings Cooperative (SHSC) in Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur.
JGF’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) has been supporting various SHSC members and groups through grants and training since 2013. FEP focuses on developing leadership and technical skills of smallholder farmers by helping them become direct suppliers of high-quality vegetables to corporate buyers such as the Jollibee Group and ensure their sustainable profitability.
The SHSC farmers and scientists recently welcomed selected members of the press for a farm tour in Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur, where they shared some of the significant impacts of the FEP program on their farming and marketing techniques, in addition to discussing the needs of the farmers and the agricultural sector.
Positive impact
Jollibee Group’s initiatives have had a profound impact on underprivileged youth in the Philippines. Through programs that provide education, employment, and agricultural training, thousands of young Filipinos are gaining the skills and confidence needed to build a better future.
“These programs are about more than just creating opportunities; they are about giving our youth the tools to transform their lives and their communities,” said Tanbuntiong. “By working together with our partners, we are advancing a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact on the world around them.”
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