The Unilab Group has officially launched Unilab Education (UniEd), its newest strategic pillar, aimed at tackling the country’s persistent jobs-skills mismatch and building stronger pathways from education to employment.
Held under the theme “Building Career Pathways, Shaping the Workforce Together,” the launch gathered over 200 leaders from government, academe, and industry, emphasizing the urgent need to equip graduates with skills that match market demand, particularly in high-growth sectors such as healthcare and STEM.
“UniEd is built as a collaborative ecosystem—bringing together industry leaders, educational institutions, and regulators to co-create curricula aligned with real-world demands,” said Clinton Andrew Campos Hess, Group CEO and Chairman of the Unilab Group. “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’s demand-driven, skills-focused approach will support partner schools and organizations in offering industry-relevant programs. These include microcredentials, reskilling and upskilling initiatives, new academic offerings with hands-on training and workplace immersion, as well as mentoring opportunities—all designed to ensure graduates are not just qualified, but job-ready and adaptable to employers’ needs.
The launch featured a keynote address by Dr. Cielito Habito, former NEDA Secretary and Chairman of Brain Trust Inc., who underscored the magnitude of the challenge. In his presentation, “Towards a People-Powered Philippine Future: Finding Our Way Out of Our Jobs-Skills Mismatch,” Habito noted that college graduates now account for 38.2% of the unemployed, making them the single largest segment. He stressed the need for integrated workforce planning, tighter coordination in curriculum design, and anticipation of future skills demand.
Leaders of key education agencies also expressed their support for bridging the education-employment divide. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez, and CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis highlighted ongoing efforts to create clearer learning pathways, strengthen industry alignment, and implement policies that improve graduate employability.
In a video message, UniEd President Jose Maria A. Ochave outlined the initiative’s five areas of focus: 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 leaders from business and education. With the launch of UniEd, Unilab is reinforcing its role not only as a healthcare leader but also as a nation-building partner committed to shaping a future-ready workforce for the Philippines.