With nearly half of Filipino workers eager to upskill but held back by barriers like cost and time, Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC) and Jobstreet by SEEK have joined forces to bridge the skills gap through accessible and industry-relevant certification programs.
A 2024 Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study noted that skills mismatch is a barrier to both industry and economic growth with the institution underscoring the urgency for the local labor market to focus on developing relevant skills to meet the demands of the evolving world of work. As industries advance, employees are encouraged to upskill to thrive in modern professions like virtual assistance, digital marketing, e-commerce, and data analytics.
A recent study by job-seeking platform Jobstreet revealed that four in 10 Filipino workers are willing to invest time in upskilling. However, financial constraints and limited access remain significant hindrances.
Recognizing these challenges, MMDC, as the premier digital-first college for working students in the Philippines, developed its Certification Programs to offer relevant, affordable, and accessible upskilling solutions for non-graduate professionals and working students. These microcredentials are short, flexible, and fully online courses in high-demand fields such as Virtual Assistance (Career Starter, Pro+, and Getting to Work), Adobe Content Creation, Meta Social Media Marketing, Google Digital Marketing and e-commerce, and IBM data analytics. More programs are set to launch soon to meet evolving industry needs.
According to Jobstreet data, the potential monthly income for an entry-level virtual assistant in the Philippines ranges from Php28,000 to Php38,000, while an entry-level marketing officer’s is from Php22,000 to Php30,000. For entry-level data analysts in the country, the potential salary is estimated at Php33,000 to Php43,000.
These figures highlight the value of investing in industry-relevant certifications, especially for entry-level professionals looking to break into high-growth sectors.
To further promote upskilling and career development, MMDC recently partnered with Jobstreet by SEEK to provide an exclusive 15% discount to all Jobstreet members in the Philippines on their second certification under the MMDC Certification Program. Members can redeem the discount by entering an exclusive voucher code in their application form shared via official Jobstreet email communications. The special offer is valid until March 30, 2026.
The initiative is in line with both companies’ shared objective of driving upskilling and career development among Filipinos.
“Upskilling is critical today, given the rapid technology-driven transformation of industries across the globe. At MMDC, we aim to improve Filipino professionals’ access to upskilling opportunities that would open doors for career improvement. Collaborating with Jobstreet enables us to reach more aspiring learners and equip them with the right skills and tools so they can thrive professionally,” said Jenny Chua, MMDC Vice President.
For more than two decades, Jobstreet has connected millions of Filipinos to better employment opportunities. With its deep understanding of hiring trends and market needs, Jobstreet is the ideal partner for MMDC in promoting lifelong learning and career readiness.
This collaboration supports MMDC’s commitment to closing the gap between education and employment by increasing access to certification programs aligned with market demands.
