KA-HUSAY-AN

KA-HUSAY-AN (Kabataang Husay sa Bayan) is a youth-focused initiative led by iLab ARAL Inc. that aims to empower young people in the Bicol Region of the Philippines by equipping them with essential digital career skills. Launched in 2024 with support from the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) - Philippines through the YSEALI Amplify8 program, the initiative specifically targets not only in-school youth but also marginalized groups, including out-of-school youth, women-at-risk, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). The program focuses on increasing awareness of in-demand digital skills and preparing youth for opportunities in the digital economy. In 2025, the program expanded its scope by incorporating AI literacy training, with additional support from the ASEAN Foundation and the Break the Fake Movement,

further strengthening its impact across the region.

Get to know KA-HUSAY-AN in one frame.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

The youth in the Philippines play a significant role in shaping the country's future, with a projected population of 31.4 million aged 15 to 30 years old in 2022. Among regions, Bicol ranks sixth with a youth population of 1.81 million.

The demographic breakdown of the youth in the Philippines shows a fairly balanced gender distribution, with males comprising 51.1% and females 48.9% of the total youth population. Among youth with disabilities, 199,646 were registered in the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disabilities. Moreover, a significant number of youth, 32.7% or 41,933 out of 128,060 persons deprived of liberty, are aged 18-30 as of January 31, 2023.

A concerning issue is the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET), which stood at 11.4% or 2.30 million in 2022. The youth unemployment rate, standing at 9.9% or 711,000 individuals out of 7.6 million in the labor force as of 2022, represents a significant challenge in the Philippines.

The statistics from the National Youth Commission and Philippine Statistics Authority (2022) don’t only underscore the struggle of many young people to secure meaningful employment but also contributes to a growing sense of disengagement among them when it comes to addressing pressing social issues.

A recent study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and LinkedIn revealed that in Asia and the Pacific, eight out of ten job applicants were hired based on their basic computer knowledge and skills, with four out of ten selected for their advanced digital skills (Seah et al., 2024).

In a world where technology plays an increasingly pivotal role, the discrepancy between skill supply and demand exacerbates the youth unemployment issue.

The digital economy is swiftly transforming job roles across various sectors as businesses increasingly rely on digital tools and platforms to innovate and operate efficiently. So, digital skills are becoming increasingly essential in workplaces worldwide.

Based on a recent study conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and LinkedIn (2022), eight out of ten job applicants in Asia and the Pacific were hired based on their basic computer knowledge and skills, while four out of ten were selected for their advanced digital skills. Additionally, according to the World Economic Forum, the number of global digital jobs is expected to grow from 73 million in 2024 to 92 million by 2030.

To address this challenge, there is an urgent need to equip the Bicolano youth with digital skills that will not only enable them to secure employment but also thrive in the rapidly evolving job market.

Investing in the development of youth digital skills can empower them to become competitive for the jobs of the future. Furthermore, by fostering an environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and digital literacy, we can inspire the youth to contribute positively to the development of their communities and the nation as a whole.

WHAT IS OUR SOLUTION?

KA-HUSAY-AN, which stands for "Kabataang Husay sa Bayan" (Skilled Youth for Nation-building), is a youth-focused initiative designed to empower the youth in the Bicol Region with relevant digital career skills. Led by iLab ARAL Inc., co-organized by the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (Bicol Hub) and with the support of the US Embassy in the Philippines through the YSEALI Amplify8 program, we are committed to tackling the challenges of youth unemployment and underemployment by raising awareness of in-demand digital skills and offering comprehensive training opportunities. The program is designed to provide comprehensive support and opportunities for the holistic development of youth, encompassing various aspects such as entrepreneurship, financial and economic literacy, and leadership development.

This program is rooted in the belief that by equipping young individuals with the necessary digital competencies, they can unlock their full potential, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and thrive in the digital age. Similar to micro-credentials, the certificates and training obtained through this program can be utilized by the youth to enhance their employability and secure fulfilling employment opportunities.

Through enabling and funding partners, such as government agencies, local youth organizations, educational institutions, civil society groups, and enterprises, the program aims to expand its reach and impact to the provinces in the region, ensuring that even more Bicolano youth have access to valuable digital career skills training. By collaborating with a diverse range of partners, KA-HUSAY-AN can leverage existing networks and expertise to effectively deliver training programs tailored to the specific needs and opportunities of each province. Whether through workshops, internships, or mentorship programs, participants not only acquire technical skills but also develop essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

WHAT'S THE GAME PLAN?

The KA-HUSAY-AN Program aims to:

Increase awareness of high-demand digital skills in the Philippine job market.
Equip youth with practical and relevant digital skills
Enhance the socio-economic capacities of youth, particularly those in marginalized sectors, women-at-risk, and persons with disabilities (PWDs.

Our Implementation Map

WHO ARE IN THE SPOTLIGHT?

Our Milestones

OUR PARTNERS

Special thanks to:

Atty. Noel P. Tianela - Deputy Director, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

KA-HUSAY-AN is a synergistic initiative of the award-winning financial literacy education program KU.WA.R.TA. and the PWDy (Education, Training and Employment Opportunities for Young People with Disability).

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