From Campus to Career: VFS Global Empowers the Next Generation of Tourism Professionals in The Philippines

Manila, Philippines - July 02, 2026 - The Trailblazers in Tourism: VFS Global Youth Excellence Program brought its mission of shaping future tourism professionals to life through a series of events across Metro Manila, uniting students, educators, and industry partners in a shared commitment to career readiness. Implemented in partnership with ASSIST, the program delivered its vision through four events across the city.

On April 24, 2026, the program kicked off at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, engaging 172 students and 32 educators through upskilling workshops, a Career Readiness Talk, and the Success360 Training of Teachers. Capping the day was the launch of the Success360 toolkit — a gamified tool designed to build skills, confidence, and collaborative thinking.

Building on that momentum, the program moved to Taguig City University on May 4, 2026, for another day of learning and career preparation. Nearly 300 students from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management and the College of Business Management joined the workshops and talks. The Success360 once again took center stage, giving students and teachers the chance to connect, collaborate, and learn through play — covering how to secure a job, succeed in it, and build foundations for lasting success.

The program extended its reach beyond physical venues through an online session via Zoom on May 14, 2026, bringing together over 100 students and educators from universities across various locations. Participants discussed professional development, sustainability, and job search strategies, alongside a Success360 Rollout that introduced the toolkit and trained participants on facilitation methods promoting employability and confidence-building. The session closed with an interactive virtual gameplay of the Success360, sparking an engaging discussion among participants.

True to the goals of VFS Global's corporate volunteering programme, Champions of Change, employees in Manila — specially trained as mentors and facilitators — helped deliver the sessions, sharing real-world expertise to inspire participants.

The series of events found its close on May 16, 2026, at the VFS Global Visa Application Center at Parqal Mall in Parañaque City, where participants celebrated their journey and engaged with company leaders — a meaningful experience that connected classroom learning to real-world industry practice.

Atul Lall, Regional Head - North Asia, VFS Global, said, "We believe in creating real, lasting impact through meaningful partnerships. The Trailblazers in Tourism program reflects VFS Global's commitment to empowering young talent with practical skills that meet the needs of the evolving tourism and hospitality industry. We are proud to support this initiative in the Philippines, which contributes to the growth, resilience, and career readiness of the next generation of professionals. I congratulate all the students and educators who participated in this transformative journey."

Atul further added: "At VFS Global, youth empowerment and community development are central to our global Corporate Social Responsibility agenda. Across the regions we operate in, we run impactful programs focused on empowering youth through education, skill development, entrepreneurial training. We are equally proud of our culture of employee volunteerism, with our Manila teams actively stepping up as mentors and directly contributing to the success of our communities."

Through four events, hundreds of participants, and one clear vision, the Trailblazers in Tourism: VFS Global Youth Excellence Program proved that empowering the next generation of tourism professionals begins long before graduation. This sentiment was best captured by Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Director of Projects at ASSIST: "True leadership isn't just about guiding the next generation; it's about building the bridge between education and industry. By equipping youth with confidence and real-world tools today, we secure a sustainable, future-ready workforce for tomorrow. Through the partnership of VFS Global and ASSIST, we enlighten aspirants with real-world tools, taking their careers — and the workforce potential — to the next level."