Naga City - In a significant move towards enhancing the future of Bicolano youth, the KA-HUSAY-AN Digital Career Skills Development Program was officially launched on June 16, 2024, at Robinsons Place, Naga City. This initiative, led by iLab ARAL Inc. and co-organized by the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Bicol Hub, with support from the US Embassy Philippines, aims to address the critical need for digital career skills development among young people in the region.

The KA-HUSAY-AN program responds to the alarming number of youths who are out of school, unskilled, and unemployed. Led by Mr. James Earn Esperida, Program Director, it will run until December, offering a series of online and face-to-face training sessions in various communities in the region. The training sessions will cover ten themes: digital literacy, digital entrepreneurship and finance, coding and programming, content creation, data analytics and visualization, digital marketing and social media management, remote work and collaboration, cybersecurity, emerging technologies and trends, and professional development and career planning. It will also use iLab ARAL’s ALAB curriculum framework crafted to meet the needs of our digital landscape for synchronous and asynchronous learning.

The program launching was attended by several representatives of partner organizations, community engagement partners, and volunteers. Mr. James Nathaniel Refugio, a former hub director of YSEALI Bicol, gave his welcome remarks, expressing the urgency of digital skills in our society. According to him, “In this rapidly evolving landscape of technology, digital skills are no longer a luxury but rather a necessity… the career opportunities are vast and varied.”

Mr. Vladimir Mariano, Lead Faculty of Technology and Innovation from YSEALI Academy at Fulbright University of Vietnam, highlighted the importance of acquiring digital skills in his message. “Right now, we are at the start of a new AI revolution known as 'Generative AI,' and the whole world is going to be disrupted by these AI tools. It is important that everyone learns about them because they are going to impact so much of our society, from work to education, communication, and entertainment,” he stated.

Ms. Jennifer Goldstein, the Deputy Director for Public Engagement at the US Embassy Philippines, also shared her inspiring message. “This project will benefit Bicolano youth by enhancing their entrepreneurial abilities and employability. It is great to see the impact of the amazing work of YSEALI alumni in contributing to the Bicol community,” she said.

Ms. Rizza Exala, the head office manager of CamSur Multi-Purpose Cooperative, was also present. She remarked, “The cooperative is working together to develop and support activities like this to awaken the creativity of the youth towards a better tomorrow.” She also urged everyone to continue to work hand in hand towards a brighter future for all.

The event also marked the launch of two publications by iLab ARAL Inc. for the KA-HUSAY-AN Program. These are: Unveiling the Digital Career Skills Landscape of Bicolano Youth: A Comprehensive Report of KA-HUSAY-AN Digital Career Skills Survey by James Earn Esperida and Marinel Dugan, and KAHUSAYAN (Kabataang Husay sa Bayan): A Digital Career Skills Development Program by James Earn Esperida.

Afterward, Ms. Marinel Dugan, the evaluation and impact lead, presented the significant findings of the region-wide digital career skills survey. Mr. James Earn Esperida then presented an overview of the KA-HUSAY-AN Program as a solution to address the present challenges in the digital career landscape. Meanwhile, Ms. Ayvee Esteleydes, the communications and engagement lead, presented the community engagement partners from different provinces in the region.

The program gained the full support of the National Youth Commission, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-South Luzon, Department of Trade and Industry-Bicol, DICT-Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, and various local government units in the region. They were presented by Pearly Esperida, the resource mobilization lead, who gave their messages of support.

Mr. Keith Eduard Hidalgo from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-South Luzon shared, “...digital skills are crucial for fostering innovation, enhancing financial inclusion, and driving economic growth. We believe in the concept that we have to start at the community level, and all these initiatives are aligned with the programs of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on financial inclusion, digitalization, and youth empowerment through financial education.”

Meanwhile, the provincial officer of DICT Camarines Sur, Ms. Maria Peñafrancia Nepomoceno, recalled the vision of our national hero: “We stand with you in targeting the needs of our youth and investing in them to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of development. As Dr. Jose Rizal claimed, 'Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan,' this can only transpire if we provide timely and appropriate education, as well as opportunities to capacitate them successfully to cope and succeed in a digital environment.”

Dr. Ana Marie Binalla, partnership focal person of Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology, said, “It is truly an honor for us to be one of your partners in extending digital literacy and entrepreneurship education to our chosen sector, and demonstrating how this program can make a difference in our community. We aim to produce quantifiable results that can create a significant impact on our youth, especially those who are economically and physically challenged.”

On the other hand, Mr. Reuel Oliver, head of the Naga City Investment Board, shared, “We are interested in the success of YSEALI and iLab ARAL for KA-HUSAY-AN. We look at this initiative not only as a means to enhance the digital skills of our young Nagueños but also as a crucial socio-economic development endeavor. Perhaps through this initiative, we will somehow be able to secure the success of our future young leaders and our future Nagueños.”

The program concluded with an Insight Session on International Scholarships, featuring Ms. Leciel Ramos, Oriel Mostar Jr., and James Earn Esperida, who are all alumni of various international scholarship programs. They shared their experiences and insights, providing valuable guidance to the aspiring scholars in the audience.

KA-HUSAY-AN is co-presented by CamSur Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Bantayog Eagles Club, supported by the National Youth Commission-Bicol, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas South Luzon, and the Department of Trade and Industry-Bicol. The Department of Information and Communications Technology provincial offices of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte and Converge are our technology partners. The program is also in partnership with various local government units in the region, especially the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, LGU Calabanga, Provincial Government of Camarines Norte, LGU Daet, City Government of Daet, and Naga City Digital Innovation Hub. We are also supported by the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology. Event and media partners are Robinsons Place Naga, GMA Regional News, and The Bicol Mail.