Tech-voc scholarships open faster job pathways for youth in Quezon

By Nimfa L. Estrellado The Gokongwei Group’s education initiatives focus on bridging the gap between training and employment. (Gokongwei Gro...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

The Gokongwei Group’s education initiatives focus on bridging the gap between training and employment. (Gokongwei Group)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), the philanthropic arm of the Gokongwei Group, brings its Iskolar ni Juan Tech-Voc Scholarship Program to Quezon Province through a recruitment caravan. The program offers free technical and vocational training that helps young Quezonians prepare for work and enter employment sooner.

The caravan opens on January 19 at the Cultural Arts Center within the Governor’s Mansion Grounds in Barangay 10, Lucena City. Organizers hold recruitment activities on January 20 at the Sariaya Municipal Hall in Barangay Sampaloc 2, Sariaya; on January 21 at the Dolores Municipal Hall in Dolores; on January 22 at the Tiaong Town Plaza in Tiaong; and on January 23 at the San Antonio Municipal Hall in San Antonio.



Iskolar ni Juan serves underprivileged Filipino youth aged 18 to 30 who have finished at least high school and belong to families earning up to ₱300,000 annually. Scholars complete seven months of classroom and hands-on training in Calamba, Laguna, then spend five months in on-the-job training with partner companies.

The scholarship covers tuition, dormitory accommodation, daily meals, uniforms, school supplies, transportation, and an allowance during on-the-job training. These benefits remove financial barriers that often prevent young people from completing skills training.




The initiative addresses a long-standing gap between schooling and workplace needs while industries continue to seek skilled workers. Many young people lack access to training or cannot afford it, making technical-vocational education a practical option for those who want to enter the workforce early.

The Provincial Government of Quezon coordinates the Quezon rollout under the leadership of Governor Angelina Tan, with support from the Quezon Provincial PESO. The partnership reflects a shared effort between the public and private sectors to strengthen local workforce development.

“We launched Iskolar ni Juan with a clear purpose: to offer a pathway from education to employment for young Filipinos who have the passion but not the means,” says Marcia Gokongwei. She explained that the foundation designs the program to ensure that talent, not financial capacity, determines access to opportunity.

That purpose, she says, guides the foundation’s work by shaping programs that support individual growth while also strengthening families and local communities. Rather than offering short-term relief, the foundation prioritizes long-term impact through education and skills training that lead to sustained employment and economic stability.

“Over the program’s first decade, we see hundreds of graduates become skilled workers, supporting their families and communities. We continue to expand this initiative so more youth build meaningful careers and strengthen the country’s workforce.” Marcia Gokongwei added.