With the world home to over 1.8 billion young people—half of them within the Asia-Pacific region—the potential of youth as leaders of tomorrow is undeniable. Within the Philippines, the Jollibee Group is devoted to unlocking this potential, focusing especially on underprivileged communities.
Jollibee Group’s youth empowerment programs are aligned with its commitment to community support as outlined in global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow.
“For years, the Jollibee Group has committed to empowering young Filipinos through sustainable, impactful programs,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of JFC Philippines. “Along with our community partners, we proceed to make use of our expertise to create opportunities in education, agriculture, and employment.”
Creating pathways to employment
Unemployment stays a difficulty to many underprivileged Filipino youth, especially during a difficult economic climate. Most of them have lost their jobs or did not secure stable jobs as a consequence of the impacts of the pandemic. In line with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), youth unemployment rate within the Philippines as of May 2023 is at 10.6%.
The Jollibee Group, through its social development arm Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), has partnered with Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) and USAID to launch YouthWorks PH. This initiative goals to bridge the gap between education and employment, offering training to youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET). This system’s pilot, featuring 26 youth from Cebu City, will provide job-specific training, allowances, and real-world experience within the participating stores of Jollibee, Chowking and Greenwich.
“We’re elated to see the pilot batch of 26 out-of-school youth in Cebu City jump-start this chance,” said PBEd executive director Justine Raagas. “This project is a testament to what we will achieve once we break down silos and work together. When government, businesses, educators and communities join forces, we will empower young people, unlock their potential and construct a brighter future for all.”
Equipping young Filipinos
In collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Jollibee Group can also be advancing youth employment through the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES). This initiative will provide short-term job opportunities to 900 underprivileged youth, equipping them with essential skills for the workforce.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma underscored the importance of SPES in equipping young Filipinos with the talents and knowledge mandatory to thrive within the workforce: “Once we spend money on our youth, especially those from marginalized sectors, we offer them with the tools and the support they need to achieve their full potential.”
“This collaborative effort carries immense promise for each the Filipino people and the national economy. By working together, we will create a brighter future stuffed with opportunities for our young generation, where businesses flourish alongside a capable and driven workforce. We firmly imagine this partnership will empower countless young Filipinos to excel,” Secretary Laguesma added.
The Jollibee Group has been a long-time partner of DOLE for the SPES. Since 2015, over 800 youths have been previously employed in the corporate’s commissaries and stores of brands like 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 for Employment of Students (SPES) that can profit 900 underprivileged students and out-of-school youth within the Philippines.
Advancing education and agriculture
This just isn’t the primary time the Jollibee Group has undertaken an initiative for the marginalized youth sector. In 2005, the JGF launched the Access, Curriculum, and Employability or ACE Scholarship Program, which provides two varieties of educational support to underprivileged youth: college scholarships for degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management or Business Management, and technical skills training scholarships, in partnership with Don Bosco Technical College.
In 2018, JGF partnered with the Anihan Technical School for the event of the Quick Service Restaurant Operations course, which incorporates each in-school and in-store training for scholars, improving not only their skills set, but additionally their employability within the food service industry.
For the reason that ACE Scholarship Program began in 2004, JGF has given scholarships to 2,397 students, which incorporates 1,117 students for agriculture and 139 for technical-vocational skills training.
The ACE Scholarship Program aligns with the United Nations’ transformative Sustainable Development Goals geared toward bringing peace and prosperity to the world, particularly its Quality Education (SDG4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG10) pillars.
Youth in agriculture
With Philippines as an agricultural country, the Jollibee Group also recognizes the ability that young farmers hold to advance sustainable farming practices across regions, because it continues to capacitate youth scholars, farmers, and native farming communities nationwide through its local implementing partners just like the Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative (SHSC) in Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur.
JGF’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) has been enabling several SHSC members and groups through scholarships and training since 2013. FEP centers on developing smallholder farmers’ leadership and technical skills by helping them develop into direct suppliers of high-quality vegetables to corporate buyers comparable to the Jollibee Group and ensure their sustainable profitability.
The SHSC farmers and students recently welcomed select press members for a farm tour at Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur, where they shared a few of the significant impacts of the FEP program on their farming and marketing techniques, alongside the discussion of the needs of the farmers and the agricultural sector.
Positive impact
The Jollibee Group’s initiatives have had a profound impact on underprivileged youth across the Philippines. Through programs that provide education, employment opportunities, and agricultural training, hundreds of young Filipinos are gaining the talents and confidence needed to construct higher futures.
“These programs are about greater than just creating opportunities—they’re about giving our youth the tools to rework their lives and their communities,” said Tanbuntiong. “By working along with our partners, we’re fostering a future where every young person has the prospect to thrive and make a meaningful impact on the world around them.”
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