USAID/Philippines’ University Partnership Linking Out-of-School Youth to Agri-Entrepreneurship and Development to promote Job Opportunities (UPLOAD JOBS) Project for Mindanao is a three-year initiative that addresses the key constraints to peace and stability in Midsayap, Mindanao. The project aims to provide quality life skills combined with targeted workforce skills that create pathways for reintegration of out-of-school youth (OSY) as productive members of their communities.

UPLOAD JOBS, which stems from a USAID worldwide initiative that promotes post-secondary skills training, links host country higher education institutions with technical/vocational community colleges and higher education institutions in the United States, and with centers that are actively linked with industry and corporations.

ACTIVITIES
The initiative enhances the livelihoods of OSY and the larger farming community in Central Mindanao through the training and capacity building of educators and participants in the agricultural entrepreneurship program at the Southern Christian College (SCC).

Agri-entrepreneurship trainings include modules on business plan writing, entrepreneurial finance, and marketing. The trainings aim to equip graduates with the necessary entrepreneurial skills that will allow them to start their own small business, create jobs or fill positions in growth sectors.

UPLOAD JOBS is implemented by the American Council of Education, through its implementing arm, Higher Education for Development (HED) which awarded a grant to the University of Hawai’i Manoa (UH) to work in partnership with the SCC in Mindanao.

GOAL
To improve peace and stability in Midsayap, North Cotabato in Mindanao by:

• Increasing OSY access to relevant life skills and entrepreneurship training
• Strengthening the capacity of local higher education institution and communities to deliver training services and entrepreneurial advices for OSY

Target Area in Midsayap, North Cotabato:

• Dungguan, Aleosan
• Malapang, Aleosan
• Palacat, Aleosan
• Pacao, Alamada
• Aroman, Carmen
• Nabawalag, Midsayap
• Nes, Midsayap
• Rangaban, Midsayap