ZAMBOANGA CITY, September 21 (PIA) - A United States-led project launched recently here is seen to provide the city's out-of-school youth (OSYs) with more chances of landing immediate and better jobs in the future by engaging them, government and the prospective employers themselves.

The United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) "Opportunity 2.0", a five-year engagement seeks to achieve such by collaborating with local development actors. The project package will support local innovations that help the youth access learning and earning programs especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project will work with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the City Government to provide relevant education and skills to improve the employability of the target youth.

"Opportunity 2.0 is a five-year (2020-2025) initiative that will improve the learning and earning outcomes of out-of-school Filipino youth by working with key stakeholders from government, industry and academia to strengthen the education, training and employment systems at the national and local level. These include DepEd's enhanced Alternative Learning Systems program, TESDA's skills training programs, and local government programs for youth," reads a USAID press statement.

Dr. Thomas Leblanc, USAID-Philippines Director of Education said during a virtual project launch Friday (September18) the USAID has already worked with thousands of Filipino youths before and is very pleased with the positive results.

"6,000 of the youth we have worked with before now have new and improved employment and have more positive views about themselves and their communities," said Dr. Leblanc. "Opportunity 2.0 aims to give the out-of-school youth second chance opportunities."

Opportunity 2.0 will be implemented in 12 other cities in the country, and is expected to reach out to 180,000 OSYs for five years.

The USAID earmarked $37.5 million (Php1.9-billion) for this project. (EDT/DIS/PIA9-ZAMSULTA)