Y2 Progress Reports (October 2019 - September 2020)
The second year of implementation for YouthWorks PH was marked by milestones, major programmatic pivots and staffing movements mostly caused by the coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
YouthWorks PH finally concluded the series of launches in its project sites when it launched in Gen. Santos City in December 2019 and in Aklan in February 2020. However, as recruitment was set to begin, the pandemic hit, prompting a revision of the implementation plan for the year.
Modifying the previous design of the work-based training (WBT) program, the project piloted in June 2020 the use of flexible learning options implemented in the form of Flexible Training for Work (FTW) — a three-part training program that includes remote mentoring and employability modules; tech voc learning delivered online and/or face to face; and on-the-job experience. Recruitment for the pilot FTW was done completely online, and 479 trainees joined the pilot batch.
To support the implementation of FTW amid the pandemic, the project ramped up its strategic partnerships with the private sector, starting with the agreement with Golden Arches Development Corporation (GADC), the local franchise owner of McDonald’s. The partnership, which opened up at least 5,000 in-company training positions, was launched in February 2020 and was attended by then-US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, McDonald’s Philippines founder George Yang, GADC President and CEO Kenneth Yang, and PBEd Chair Ramon del Rosario, Jr. In June 2020, Globe Telecom’s mobile wallet application GCash, together with technology companies e-PLDT and Microsoft Philippines, also partnered with YouthWorks PH. GCash is supporting the project’s e remittance needs which facilitates the provision of monetary incentives for FTW trainees, free of transaction charges. Meanwhile, Microsoft Philippines and e-PLDT provided YouthWorks PH with free Office 365 A1 licenses, for use of the project’s over 200 remote mentors to organize meetings and classes with youth trainees. In August 2020, education technology company Go Philippines also linked with the project in developing the registration and database management platform of FTW, streamlining the recruitment process and tracking of trainees. Moreover, PHINMA Foundation co promoted the program to its non-permanent employees and families. These partnerships contributed further to the project’s leverage for the year, amounting to PhP 34,156,271.61 which brought the total project leverage to PhP 139,037,607.73.
The pandemic prompted a nationwide imposition of community quarantine measures which significantly downsized regular economic and social activities, lessening the capacity of some partner companies to train. As a result, the project dropped Aklan and Iloilo as project sites, and paused operations in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City due to lack of private sector participation. These programmatic pivots had a direct impact on project staffing. The positions for Iloilo city coordinator (CC) and youth empowerment and recruitment officer (YERO) were declared redundant; the Cebu CC was reassigned as outreach coordinator (OC) in a concurrent capacity; and the Cebu and CDO YEROs were reassigned to the Greater Manila Area (GMA).
Throughout the year, the PBEd executive director (ED) remained as the concurrent chief of party (COP) due to the lack of qualified applicants. In supporting the COP in managing the technical aspects of program implementation, the project hired in June 2020 a senior manager for technical programs (STMP). The project also onboarded a new partnerships manager in October 2019. The new WBT manager who joined in March 2020 was replaced by promoting one of the WBT officers in September. In the interim, the CDO CC served as a WBT officer. The YERO for Gen. Santos City also resigned in September 2020 and was replaced subsequently. A new monitoring, evaluation, research and learning assistant (MERLA) and operations assistant (OA) were also hired.
Overall, through adaptive management, YouthWorks PH was able to explore and take advantage of opportunities to improve the program and resume implementation despite multiple setbacks.