Schneider Electric is investing in the country’s human capital. By 2026, the company aims to train 11,000 young Filipinos with the technical skills needed for the clean energy transition.

The initiative is part of the Schneider Electric Foundation’s youth and entrepreneurship pillar. It builds on the company’s belief that sustainability is not just about technology and emissions — it is also about people.

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Building skills for the energy transition

Through partnerships with schools, NGOs, and institutions such as the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, Sisters of Mary, Philippine Science, and Don Bosco Technical College–Mandaluyong, Schneider Electric equips students with the tools and training to participate in the renewable energy economy. Students gain access to solar panels, electrical kits, and hands-on experience in installation and maintenance.

The skills focus on areas where demand is growing. Training includes solar panel installation, electric vehicle charger maintenance, and cybersecurity for industrial operations. These competencies are increasingly critical as decarbonization, digitalization, and artificial intelligence reshape industries.

Atty. Norman Roland Ocana III, Government Affairs Director and Territory Sustainability Leader of Schneider Electric Philippines, said the company sees skills development as central to its sustainability strategy. “There will always be demand for construction and technical skills. We want to be part of preparing the next generation,” Ocana said in an episode of the Power Podcast.

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Rebuilding communities through training

One example is in Marawi, where Schneider Electric has supplied equipment to technical-vocational institutes. The goal is to help communities rebuild by ensuring they have a trained workforce ready for future projects.

As Ocana noted, once the economy grows, construction will follow — and with it, demand for electricians, installers, and technicians. By investing in training today, Schneider Electric hopes to provide opportunities for young Filipinos while supporting long-term community development.

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Creating a multiplier effect

The program’s design recognizes the multiplier effect of education. Students who learn new skills can train others, spreading knowledge beyond the classroom. Schneider Electric believes this will ensure that renewable energy growth translates into jobs for more Filipinos, not just those in major cities.

The Schneider Electric Foundation also sees youth entrepreneurship as a way to extend impact. With the right training, young workers can start their own service businesses — from solar installation teams to EV charging maintenance firms. This creates both employment and enterprise opportunities in the clean energy sector.

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Preparing for the 2040 target

The Philippines has set a target of sourcing 50% of its energy from renewables by 2040. Achieving this requires not only new projects but also a skilled workforce to build, operate, and maintain them.

Schneider Electric’s training program is designed to support this national goal. By producing thousands of job-ready youth, the company hopes to accelerate renewable deployment while ensuring Filipinos benefit directly from the transition.

For Schneider Electric, green jobs are not just numbers. They are the foundation for inclusive development. Each trainee represents not only one job but the possibility of many more, as knowledge and skills are passed on to others.

As Ocana emphasized in the Power Podcast, sustainability is broader than emissions and technology. It is also about preparing people. “We want to be part of preparing the next generation,” he said.

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