SM Investments Corp., the powerhouse behind one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates, is harnessing its vast and varied ecosystem to meet the evolving demands of a technology-driven job market.
With active interests spanning retail, banking, real estate, and education, SM is strategically aligning its resources with the government’s Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework to help close the country’s persistent skills gap.
The EBET Framework promotes stronger collaboration between industry and the education sector through real-world training and apprenticeship programs. For SM, the initiative aligns with its long-standing commitment to professionalize and upskill Filipino workers—not just within its 142,000-strong workforce, but across the broader economy.
“SM is able to function at its optimum because of the skills of our people,” said SM Investments President and CEO Frederic DyBuncio. He said SM views the preparation Filipinos for the jobs of the future—whether or not they ultimately work for the group or elsewhere—as a core corporate social responsibility and its contribution to nation building.
SM’s education and employment initiatives span multiple platforms. Through its J.O.B.S. (Job Opportunities Building Skills) program, SM has hosted more than 240 job fairs in its malls nationwide since 2024, resulting in over 20,000 on-the-spot hires. Meanwhile, its banking arm, BDO Unibank, has launched an accelerated hiring track for IT and cybersecurity professionals, underscoring the group’s push for digital readiness.
Beyond job creation, SM is making substantial investments in future-ready education. National University (NU), acquired in 2008, now offers specialized courses in machine learning, digital forensics, and multimedia arts. With a long-term expansion strategy, NU aims to reach 100,000 students by 2027. Asia Pacific College (APC), co-founded with IBM, continues to deliver graduates with a near-perfect employment rate, thanks to its industry-aligned curriculum.
Further strengthening this ecosystem, the SM Foundation has supported over 4,600 scholars to date. In 2024 alone, it welcomed a record 1,100 new college scholars, with 71% of alumni pursuing further studies.
In an era of rapid transformation, SM Investments shows how a diversified business can do more than generate economic growth—it can cultivate a resilient, future-ready Filipino workforce.
