917Ventures’ edutech platform KodeGo has entered into a partnership with higher education institutions under iPeople, a Yuchengco-Ayala Education collaboration to equip students with relevant, industry-ready skills in high-demand digital fields.
The initiative called “KodeGo Edu-Connect” brings together schools such as Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (MMCM), Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (MMCL), and the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) to help bridge the gap between traditional academic learning and real-world digital skills needed by today’s employers.
“This strategic alliance underscores a mutual commitment to fostering educational excellence and professional readiness,” said Mark Abalos, Head of Dual Transformation, Strategy and Business Development at iPeople.
“By merging KodeGo’s dynamic, tech-driven programs with iPeople’s rich academic tradition, the partnership not only enhances the student learning experience but also contributes to the development of a skilled and versatile workforce ready to meet the demands of an evolving job market,” he added.
KodeGo facilitated the program through its 10-day Virtual Assistant and Virtual Bookkeeping courses. These courses were done fully online, supported by a collaborative learning environment provided by iPeople’s network–allowing them to engage in interactive lessons, complete case studies, and participate in practical assignments.
Equipping students with real-world skills
The Virtual Assistant course delves into key skills one may need to pursue a career in this direction, including the following:
● Cultural proficiency for working with U.S. clients
● Advanced administrative management
○ Organizing clients’ multiple calendars and schedules
○ Best practices for facilitating meetings
● Familiarity and use of basic social media tools
● Cryptocurrency fundamentals, and;
● Strategies for professional development, client acquisition, and problem-solving
Meanwhile, the Virtual Bookkeeping course enables students to manage financial records and use digital accounting tools effectively.
Certificates of Completion are given to students who finish their respective courses and are endorsed by KodeGo to their network of partners for potential employment opportunities.
An initial batch of just under a dozen students, aged 28 to 46, already graduated from the program. Of this group, 63% are currently employed, while 37% are actively seeking employment.
“In today’s digital age, the demand for virtual bookkeepers and virtual assistants is soaring. As businesses increasingly operate online, the ability to efficiently manage financial records and administrative tasks remotely has become indispensable,” said Ina Gervasio, CEO of KodeGo.
According to a report by Google and Temasek, the Philippines continues to face a significant challenge in digital literacy, with only 30% of the population possessing adequate digital skills. This underlines the urgent need to equip Filipino students with practical knowledge that aligns with the demands of the modern workforce.
Gervasio highlights that “Investing in training for these skills not only enhances career prospects but also offers significant advantages such as increased job flexibility, the potential for higher earnings, and the ability to work with a diverse range of clients globally.”
For more information about KodeGo and their available courses, visit www.kodego.ph.
