TRABAHONG TRENDING
Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce
Preparing the Youth for AI, Green Jobs, and Emerging Labor Trends
As the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) conducts timely and relevant research to advance labor policies that promote the welfare and well-being of Filipino workers. To strengthen its advocacy efforts and promote labor research in more engaging ways, the ILS launched #TrabahongTrending—a platform designed to bring labor and employment issues closer to the youth and the academic community.
First piloted in 2019, #TrabahongTrending started as a research colloquium for students and faculty members from universities within Intramuros, Manila. The inaugural event focused on raising awareness about the Future of Work, particularly on emerging work arrangements like telecommuting, while also showcasing ILS research that impacts future entrants to the labor force.
In 2024, the ILS rebranded the project as #TrabahongTrending: Youth is the Future of Work, which was conducted at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa, Manila. The event was attended by graduating students from the Communication Research program and aimed to engage young people and first-time labor market entrants. It provided valuable insights into current labor trends, employment challenges, and emerging opportunities. Moreover, it served as a platform to strengthen partnerships with academic institutions in fostering awareness and knowledge on labor and employment issues.
In celebration of the 2025 National Development Policy Research Month (NDPRM) led by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), #TrabahongTrending returns with the theme, “Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce: Preparing the Youth for AI, Green Jobs, and Emerging Labor Trends.” This year’s event will highlight key ILS research on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Green Jobs—two fast-evolving and critical areas reshaping the world of work. The activity aims to help students and young labor market entrants better understand and prepare for the ongoing transformations in the labor market brought about by technological innovation and the global transition towards sustainability.
Mapúa University was selected as this year’s academic partner and venue for #TrabahongTrending because of its strong alignment with the forum’s theme on artificial intelligence, green jobs, and emerging labor market trends. As a leading institution in engineering, technology, and innovation, Mapúa provides a future-ready academic environment—ideal for engaging students in forward-looking discussions on the evolving world of work.
In 2024, Mapúa established the Mapúa Institute for Global Sustainability (Mapúa-IGS), reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development through research, education, and strategic partnerships. 1The university actively promotes environmental and sustainability principles across its programs, particularly in environmental engineering, energy engineering, and sanitary engineering—making it a fitting venue for conversations on green jobs and workplace sustainability.
Mapúa also leads in digital innovation as the first university in the Philippines to offer an undergraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence Engineering. 2The program equips students with competencies in AI, robotics, and data science, directly supporting ILS’ advocacy of preparing young people for the demands of a technology-driven labor market. With its pioneering initiatives in both sustainability and innovation, Mapúa serves as an ideal platform for this year’s Trabahong Trending.
To create a more engaging and student-friendly learning experience, the presentations will adopt a TEDx-style format—short, dynamic, and fast-paced talks that encourage interaction, reflection, and curiosity among participants. Through #TrabahongTrending, ILS hopes to inspire the next generation of Filipino workers to stay informed, adapt to change, and play an active role in shaping the future of work.
TRABAHONG TRENDING
Youth is the Future of Work!
A Seminar on Career Development for Future-Ready Communication Researchers
As the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) undertakes relevant research studies that promote labor policies that advance the welfare and well-being of Filipino workers. In line with the Institute’s aim of strengthening its advocacies through the promotion of its research, Trabahong Trending aims to provide a unique opportunity for the Institute to advocate for its policy recommendations while also providing awareness on basic labor education.
#TrabahongTrending was first piloted in 2019, a research colloquium for the students and members of the academe in the schools and universities within Intramuros, Manila, to raise awareness about the Future of Work, particularly the Telecommuting Arrangement, and advocate for ILS Research Studies which affect the future members of the labor workforce.
This year, #TrabahongTrending will be rebranded as #TrabahongTrending: Youth is the Future of Work. It aims to engage the youth and young labor market entrants by providing insights into current labor and employment trends, issues, challenges, and opportunities. The project seeks to foster collaboration with educational institutions through knowledge-building partnerships.
#TrabahongTrending will include presentations from the ILS in collaboration with the Bureau of Local Employment, Bureau of Labor Relations, and National Wages and Productivity Commission. The topics will cover Labor Market Information, Labor Education for Graduating Students (LEGS) and Workers’ Rights, Productive Career Choice, Work Ethics of Productive Work, and 7 Core Values in the Workplace, and the ILS study titled “Generation Z in the Philippine Labor Force: Profile, Perspectives, and Prospects”.
The presentations will adopt the “TEDx” type of forum to allow a more relaxed and fast-paced learning environment more suitable for students and new learners.