Unilab Education to help address skills mismatch, build job-ready Filipino workforce

The Unilab Group officially launched Unilab Education (UniEd), its newest pillar and venture in an event titled “Building Career Pathways, Shaping the Workforce Together.” The launch gathered over 200 leaders from government, academe, and industry, underscoring UniEd’s mission to help address the country’s persistent jobs-skills mismatch.

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In photo (L-R): UniEd COO Dr. Noel Cortez, Unilab Vice Chairman of the Board Mr. Mariano John L. Tan Jr., CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis, TESDA Director General Sec. Kiko Benitez, Group CEO and Chairman – Unilab Group Mr. Clinton Andrew Campos Hess, DepED Sec. Sonny Angara, former NEDA Secretary and Brain Trust Inc. Chairman & Founding Partner Dr. Cielito F. Habito and UniEd President Atty. Jose Maria Ochave.

UniEd is Unilab’s response to a long-standing national challenge: graduates struggling to find jobs that match their training, even in sectors like healthcare and STEM where demand is high. As one of the country’s largest employers, Unilab aims to strengthen collaboration with government, education institutions, and industry to reshape how education is delivered—ensuring that Filipino graduates are job-ready.

Mr. Clinton Andrew Campos Hess, Group CEO and Chairman – Unilab Group, expressed that UniEd is built as a collaborative ecosystem—bringing together industry leaders, educational institutions, and regulators to co-create curricula that are aligned with real-world demands.Distinct in its demand-driven and skills-focused approach, UniEd helps partner schools and organizations to offer practical, relevant, and industry-aligned programs. These include micro- credentials, reskilling and upskilling courses, and new academic offerings that integrate hands-on training, workplace exposure, and mentoring. The goal: graduates who are not only skilled, but also confident and adaptable to employers’ needs.

The launch featured a keynote address by Dr. Cielito Habito, former NEDA Secretary and Chairman of Brain Trust Inc. In his presentation, “Towards a People-Powered Philippine Future: Finding Our Way Out of Our Jobs-Skills Mismatch,” Habito pointed out that college graduates now account for the single largest segment of the unemployed at 38.2%. He emphasized the need for integrated education and workforce development planning, closer coordination in curriculum design, and better anticipation of future skills demand.

Leaders of the country’s education agencies also shared their ongoing initiatives to close the gap between education and employment. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez, and CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis highlighted how closer inter-agency collaboration has led to clearer pathways, stronger industry alignment, and policies that improve graduate employability.

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Mr. Clinton Andrew Campos Hess, Group CEO and Chairman – Unilab Group, expressed that UniEd is built as a collaborative ecosystem—bringing together industry leaders, educational institutions, and regulators to co-create curricula that are aligned with real-world demands.

Unilab Group CEO and Chairman Clinton Andrew Campos Hess affirmed the company’s commitment to the national effort. “UniEd is built as a collaborative ecosystem—bringing together industry leaders, educational institutions, and regulators to co-create curricula aligned with real-world demands. This enables learning to translate more directly into livelihood,” he said. He added, “By building clear, intentional pathways from education to employment, we are helping shape a skilled workforce that uplifts families, drives innovation, and powers inclusive economic growth.”

UniEd President Atty. Jose Maria A. Ochave introduced the five areas of focus of UniEd, namely, industry certifications, microcredentialing, apprenticeship and on-the-job training, senior high school immersion, and skills-based continuing professional development courses.

UniEd President Jose Maria A. Ochave explained in his video message the five areas of focus of UniEd, namely, industry certifications, microcredentialing, apprenticeship and on-the-job training, senior high school immersion, and skills-based continuing professional development courses.

The event was attended by some of the country’s most respected education and business leaders. With UniEd’s launch, Unilab strengthens its role not just as a healthcare leader, but also as a partner in shaping the country’s workforce for the future.