Through its “Iskolar ni Juan” scholarship program, the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) is offering an alternative pathway—one that equips young people with technical skills and direct access to employment in the country’s manufacturing sector.
Inside the GBF Technical Training Center in Calamba, Laguna, scholars spend months learning to operate industrial machinery, troubleshoot automated systems, and maintain production equipment, the foundation said in a statement.
The program, backed by food and beverage giant Universal Robina Corp. (URC), combines classroom instruction with hands-on industry training designed to prepare participants for immediate employment.
A pathway to employment
Launched in 2014, Iskolar ni Juan provides a one-year technical-vocational scholarship focused on mechatronics servicing and instrumentation and control servicing. Scholars undergo seven months of training at the GBF facility, followed by five months of on-the-job training in URC plants.
Upon completion, graduates earn a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) National Certificate II, qualifying them for roles such as production operators, machine technicians, and maintenance personnel.
The scholarship covers tuition, dormitory accommodation, transportation, school supplies, uniforms, meal allowances, and on-the-job training expenses, helping remove financial barriers that often prevent students from pursuing further education.
A second chance
For scholar John Marvin Javier, the program became a stepping stone toward a better future.
“I didn’t think I’d be able to go to college, but with Iskolar ni Juan I managed to get a stable income, help my family, and pursue my dream to study again,” he said.
Since its launch, the initiative has produced more than 500 graduates and maintained a 100 percent passing rate in certification examinations.
The scholarship is open to senior high school graduates aged 18 to 30 from families earning no more than P200,000 annually, targeting young Filipinos who may otherwise have limited access to higher education.
Building PH technical workforce
Beyond employment generation, the program supports GBF’s broader mission of expanding access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education while helping develop a skilled technical workforce.
Established in 1992, the foundation was inspired by the vision of its founders, including the late industrialist John Gokongwei Jr., who viewed education as a key driver of social mobility and national development.
Today, GBF supports scholarships, educator training, and community partnerships across the country. To date, it has supported 3,428 scholars, including 1,988 graduates and 1,263 active scholars, helping nurture future STEM professionals and technical workers who can contribute to the country’s growing industries. — Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
