MANILA - IBM launched in the Philippines Tuesday its technology education program that aims to make senior high school and college students more easily employable for "new collar jobs" after graduation.

Pathways in Technology Early College High or P-TECH focuses on "very hands-on" information technology, math, science and engineering mentoring programs and early exposure to industries to help students prepare for a career in technology, IBM Asia Pacific CEO and chairman Harriet Green said.

Taguig City University will implement the program this school year and talks are ongoing to expand to other schools, IBM said.

IBM signed a partnership with the City government of Taguig and the Taguig City University to embed its 4-year PTECH program to the curriculum of students starting from Grade 11.

“Its about new collar jobs or jobs that are not only about credentials but about real practical capabilities,” Green said.

“We need more than the right technologies. We need the right people with the right skills in the right jobs and we need them so much here in the Philippines,” she added.

Senior high graduates can opt to get an associate degree in Computer Technology with a P-TECH embedded program from partner universities. Graduates will have the benefit of the "interview first" commitment of partner companies when they apply for jobs, giving them a higher chance of getting hired.

IBM chose the Philippines as the 10th country globally for the program due to its young population and fast-growing economy, country general manager Aileen Judan-Jiao told reporters.

In return, the program ensures a “sustainable talent pool” for industry players in the future while making the country globally competitive, she said.