Preparing students for real-world careers requires more than classroom lessons. It also requires strong collaboration between educators and industry leaders who understand what today’s workplaces demand. In a significant step toward bridging that gap, the Jollibee Group has partnered with the Department of Education to co-develop a specialized Senior High School elective focused on the quick service restaurant industry.
The initiative introduces students to the fundamentals of the QSR sector while giving them hands-on work immersion opportunities. By combining classroom learning with real-life exposure, the program aims to equip Filipino students with practical skills and workplace readiness before they graduate.
A New SHS Elective Focused on the QSR Industry
The program was officially launched during the DepEd SHS QSR Curriculum and Work Immersion Workgroup Kickoff held on January 15, 2026, at Jollibee Plaza in Pasig City.
This collaboration will introduce a Senior High School Quick Service Restaurant Tech Pro elective aligned with the country’s strengthened SHS curriculum. The course will provide students with a deeper understanding of how the QSR industry operates, particularly in fast-paced environments that require efficiency, teamwork, discipline, and consistency.
Through the program, students will learn the systems and operational standards commonly practiced in restaurant chains, helping them build foundational knowledge relevant to service-oriented careers.
Combining Classroom Learning with Work Immersion
A key feature of the initiative is its dual structure, which integrates academic learning with real-world experience.
The first component focuses on the classroom-based QSR curriculum, where students will study industry fundamentals and develop essential service skills. The second component is the Work Immersion Program, which allows learners to apply these lessons through structured in-store exposure.
This hands-on training is designed to help students experience the realities of the workplace while learning professional behaviors that are valued in the service industry.
Developing Future-Ready Skills for Students
During the launch event, Ruth Angeles, Chief Human Resources Officer of the Jollibee Group Philippines and HR Head for Jollibee International, highlighted how the two program components work together to prepare students for employment. She explained that the curriculum and work immersion are designed to ensure that learners graduate with practical and future-ready competencies that allow them to enter the workforce with confidence.
Angeles also noted that the broader objective is to help close the gap between education and employment by strengthening workforce readiness among young Filipinos. By engaging experienced professionals within the Jollibee Group, the program aims to translate industry knowledge into learning modules that meet academic standards set by DepEd.
Strengthening Education and Industry Collaboration
Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of the Jollibee Group Philippines and Head of Jollibee Global, emphasized that the partnership represents more than just a training program. For the company, he described the initiative as part of a broader commitment to nation-building.
Tanbuntiong shared that investing in young people by equipping them with skills, values, and confidence helps prepare them to contribute meaningfully to society. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between schools and industry, noting that meaningful change occurs when academic learning reflects real-world expectations and companies actively support education initiatives.
According to Tanbuntiong, the program has the potential to reshape how young Filipinos view their career paths by opening doors to new opportunities and providing them with a clearer direction for the future.
Supporting the Jollibee Group’s Long-Term Vision
The initiative aligns with the company’s Inspire Joy leadership philosophy, which encourages young people to pursue their ambitions with confidence and purpose. It also supports the group’s sustainability agenda known as Joy for Tomorrow, which focuses on creating inclusive growth in the communities where the company operates.
By investing in education and workforce development, the Jollibee Group hopes to empower students with the knowledge and experience they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving job market.
Programs that bring together schools and industry partners can make a lasting impact on students’ futures. By combining practical training with academic learning, the new QSR curriculum and work immersion program offers Filipino youth a valuable pathway toward meaningful employment.
For students interested in hospitality and food service careers, this initiative could open the door to exciting opportunities while helping build a stronger and more prepared future workforce for the Philippines.