The education sector is among the hardest-hit segments of society by the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Schools across all levels in the Philippines have been forced to shift to an online or modular system of distance learning to reduce the risk of students and teachers becoming infected. While these conditions are a necessary health precaution, they have indirectly created more barriers that limit the youth's access to quality education, particularly in post-conflict areas like Marawi City.

Following its liberation from rebel groups in 2017, Marawi City has been on a steady path toward rehabilitation and recovery. However, there are still roadblocks hindering its progress, such as the lack of appropriate construction skills and technical qualifications that prevent job-seeking youth from securing employment. In response to this, the Future Movers Programme was created with the intent to build an inclusive and market-driven Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem; and to increase employability and support empowerment among internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The Future Movers Programme was officially launched in February 2020, but preventive measures have been taken due to COVID-19, and placed many of the succeeding steps on hold. The programme's implementing partners include the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), and TÜV Rheinland, with the generous assistance of the Belgian development agency, Enabel and the European Union, are now taking actions to continue the mission.

To proceed with the programme, multi-stakeholder partnerships must be established to increase overall impact and mobility. The Future Movers Programme will organize a series of online multi-stakeholder for a to cater to specific stakeholders per activity, to provide information on the roles, responsibilities and benefits of the partnership.

For any concerns or clarifications, please contact ASSIST Project Manager, Tesa Manrique at teresa@assisasia.org, and GPCCI Industry Engagement Officer, Angelita Bonsilao at angelita.bonsilao@gpcci.org.