The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) to collaborate on the “Job Opportunities, Building Skills” (J.O.B.S.) Program, an initiative aimed at improving employment prospects through skills training and job matching.
In a statement yesterday, GPCCI said the MOU signed on February 4 seals the parties’ commitment to help job seekers develop relevant skills and connect with businesses looking for qualified talent.
The chamber in the statement described the partnership as a practical effort to strengthen employment opportunities by aligning training programs with industry needs.
“This MOU is more than just a formal agreement—it’s a step toward equipping individuals with skills that meet real industry demands,” said GPCCI president Marie Antoniette Mariano.
Mariano said GPCCI has been espousing dual education and vocational training approaches, which have proven effective in enhancing workforce readiness.
Under the MOU, SMFI, with its educational institutions, Asia Pacific College and National University, will align training programs with the needs and requirements of GPCCI member companies and facilitate internship and job fairs, while GPCCI will work with its member companies to provide insights into industry requirements.
“Education is the foundation of opportunity. “Through this collaboration, we aim to bridge the gap between training and job placement, ensuring that more individuals are prepared for the workforce,” said Carmen Linda Atayde, SMFI executive director for Education Programs.
SMFI in a separate statement on Sunday it earlier launched the J.O.B.S initiative, which aims to help alleviate unemployment and underemployment and reduce job distribution gaps.
SMFI said in 2024, SM Supermalls successfully hosted 183 job fairs in its various malls nationwide, connecting about 107,000 job seekers with almost 6,000 employers, with around 14,500 applicants hired on-the-spot, reinforcing SM’s role as a vital employment hub.
The SM job fairs also feature government one-stop shop services for employment documents, such as, TIN, NBI or police clearance, SSS, PAGIBIG, PhilHealth, and national ID.
