SM Foundation and German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry partner on workforce development. (L-R) German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) Dual Training & Education and Special Services Director Kristina Silan, GPCCI board member Tristan Loveres, GPCCI President Maan Mariano, GPCCI Executive Director Christopher Zimmer, SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy, SM Foundation Vice Chairperson and Trustee Tessie Coson, and SM Foundation Executive Director for Education Programs Carmen Linda Atayde.The SM Foundation (SMFI) and the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) have joined forces to enhance employment opportunities and improve the skills of the Filipino workforce.
SMFI and GPCCO recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining their collaboration on various employment-related initiatives in the country. These initiatives include organizing special job fairs at SM malls nationwide and developing short-course training programs specifically designed for GPCCI member organizations.
The partnership builds upon SMFI's existing J.O.B.S. (Job Opportunities Building Skills) initiative, which aims to alleviate unemployment and underemployment. The J.O.B.S. program seeks to bridge job distribution gaps by facilitating job matching and improving employability through upskilling initiatives.
GPCCI President Maan Maan Mariano said the MOU “formalized a very powerful partnership dedicated to building a job-ready workforce, upscaling talent, and connecting businesses.”
Mariano added, “This MOU is more than just a paper that's going to be inked. It is a collaboration to a commitment to shaping the future of employment in the Philippines. GPCCI has always remained to be committed to promoting, facilitating dual education and training approaches, as well as supporting initiatives that bridge the skills gap between the workforce and industry needs.”
She noted a recent global survey of German companies, which found that 58 percent reported a positive business situation in the Philippines, with 60 percent anticipating growth in the next 12 months.
Carmen Linda Atayde, SMFI Executive Director for Education Programs, said learning should extend beyond the classroom and lead to tangible careers and economic mobility. “That is why our partnership with the GPCCI under the J.O.B.S. program is so meaningful, and this initiative connects skills training with actual employment opportunities, ensuring that education truly transforms lives through short course training, job fairs, and strong industry linkages. We are preparing individuals not just to find jobs, but to build careers in high demand industries,” Atayde said.
The short courses and skills training, covering areas like artificial intelligence, computer security, and related subjects, will be delivered by experts from the National University and the Asia-Pacific College. This partnership follows a similar MOU signed in August 2023 between SMFI and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham), which provides upskilling opportunities to employees within the AmCham network.
In 2024, SM Supermalls hosted 183 job fairs across its malls nationwide, connecting approximately 107,000 job seekers with nearly 6,000 employers. These events resulted in around 14,500 on-the-spot hires, solidifying SM’s role as an important employment hub. The SM job fairs also provide access to government one-stop shop services for employment documents, including TIN, NBI or police clearance, SSS, PAGIBIG, PhilHealth, and national ID.
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