Cognizant of the importance of exposing young students to the real workplace and preparing them for their future careers, the Embassy of Switzerland successfully launched the Second Edition of the “Day of the Future” in the Philippines.
This initiative of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines provides opportunities for Filipino students to immerse themselves in and learn firsthand the real working environments with Swiss companies in the Philippines and gain firsthand experience in various professional fields and interests.
After its maiden launch last year, the ‘Day of the Future’ this year was joined by 9 Swiss companies that welcomed 350 Filipino students and Swiss Embassy Chargé d’affaires Ms. Céline Fürst, is confident that there will be more Filipino students who will benefit from this advocacy of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines.
Held on November 14, 2024, the ‘Day of the Future’ empowers Filipino students to explore diverse career paths and engage with leaders from various industries. The day began with a press conference featuring a distinguished panel that included Chargé d’affaires Ms. Céline Fürst, Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, and leaders from eight participating Swiss companies.
The companies, all members of the Swiss Cultural Fund, were represented by Ms. Neva Santos, Office Head of Partners Group; Mr. Samuel Manlosa Jr., Chief Sustainability Officer of Holcim Philippines; Dr. Diana Edralin, General Manager of Roche Philippines; Mr. Cresenciano Maramot, Managing Director of SGS Philippines; Atty. Denya-Gracia Uy-Anastacio, Head of Government and Industry Affairs at Nestlé Philippines; Ms. Christine Fajardo, Communications and Patent Advocacy Head of Novartis; and Mr. Frank Konstanzer, Country Manager of Endress+Hauser. Not present in the panel but a participating company is Ivoclar Vivadent.
The Day of the Future is a traditional event in Switzerland where students experience hands-on exposure to various career opportunities, immersing them in real-world professional environments. After last year’s successful inaugural launch, the Swiss Embassy, in collaboration with the Department of Education, once again hosted young Filipino learners from across the country at Swiss companies in the Philippines. This year’s program provided students from both elementary and high schools with unique access to workplace settings, giving them an opportunity to engage in on-the-job activities.
During the press conference, Secretary Angara highlighted the importance of international collaboration in enhancing educational systems and workforce readiness, commending the Swiss Embassy’s dedication to expanding career awareness among Filipino students. Chargé d’affaires Céline Fürst echoed these sentiments, underscoring Switzerland’s commitment to vocational training, apprenticeships, and initiatives that cultivate career preparedness among students. The panel also discussed inclusivity in education, with Swiss company leaders emphasizing the importance of providing equal opportunities for high school graduates, supporting them with relevant on-the-job training and skill-building.
“Labor market information is crucial,” noted Secretary Angara, emphasizing the need to streamline the Senior High School (SHS) curriculum to allow more time for on-the-job training and immersive work experiences. Chargé d’affaires Fürst expressed the Swiss Embassy’s interest in expanding Day of the Future to support this vision, reiterating the Swiss Cultural Fund’s vital role in the program and expressing openness to future collaboration with Philippine companies.
The panelists also highlighted the critical roles of sustainability, inclusivity, and their commitment to fostering young minds and developing the skills of Filipino youth. Many of the participating Swiss companies, with decades-long presence in the Philippines, have established strong partnerships with local schools and youth organizations across various industries. Returning participants in Day of the Future shared how the program’s first edition in 2023 helped them build meaningful connections with nearby schools, underscoring the lasting positive impact this initiative has created for both their companies and local communities.
This year, nine Swiss companies hosted over 350 students and their teachers nationwide, promoting career exploration with an emphasis on inclusivity and sustainability in the workplace. The initiative continues the Embassy’s mission to inspire Filipino students, encouraging them to envision successful futures across industries and equipping them with the tools and insights needed for informed career choices.
As Day of the Future grows, the Swiss Embassy and the Swiss Cultural Fund look forward to building on this year’s success and further strengthening partnerships with the Department of Education and local institutions to create a lasting impact on Filipino youth.
