Jollibee Group and DepEd Partner to Develop Senior High School QSR Curriculum and Work Immersion Program

Preparing young Filipinos for the realities of the workplace is becoming more important than ever—and a new collaboration between the Jollibee Group and the Department of Education (DepEd) aims to do exactly that.

The two organizations have officially partnered to co-develop a Senior High School (SHS) Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Tech Pro elective aligned with the Strengthened SHS Curriculum. The initiative was formally launched during the DepEd SHS QSR Curriculum and Work Immersion Workgroup Kickoff held on January 15, 2026, at Jollibee Plaza in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

At its core, the DepEd–Jollibee Group QSR Curriculum and Work Immersion Program combines classroom learning with hands-on industry exposure. The program is built around two key components: a specialized QSR curriculum and a structured work immersion program designed to give students practical experience inside real restaurant environments.

Through the curriculum, students will gain a deeper understanding of how the quick service restaurant industry operates. It introduces the fundamentals of working in fast-paced, high-volume service settings where teamwork, discipline, operational systems, and consistency are essential. Beyond theoretical knowledge, the program aims to help students develop practical skills and workplace values that can prepare them for future careers.

Complementing the curriculum is the work immersion program, which gives students structured in-store exposure. This allows them to translate classroom concepts into real-world experiences while learning important workplace behaviors such as responsibility, collaboration, and adaptability.

In her opening remarks, Ruth Angeles, Chief Human Resources Officer of the Jollibee Group Philippines and Head of Human Resources for Jollibee International, highlighted how both components of the program work together to prepare students for the future.

“Together, the curriculum and work immersion are designed to help learners graduate with employable, future-ready competencies so they can step into the world of work with readiness, confidence, and aspiration,” Angeles shared.

She also emphasized the broader purpose of the initiative: bridging the gap between education and employment.

“As we build these competencies in our students, this is how we support workforce readiness. This is how we help bridge the gap between schools and work. And this is how this initiative creates value—for students, for industry, and for the future workforce we all depend on.”

To bring the curriculum to life, the Jollibee Group has mobilized a cross-functional team of industry experts who will help translate real-world QSR knowledge into classroom-ready learning materials aligned with DepEd standards.

Meanwhile, Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of Jollibee Group Philippines and Head of Jollibee Global, underscored the larger impact of the collaboration.

“For us at the Jollibee Group, this is fundamentally about nation-building,” Tanbuntiong said. “Sustainability is not only about systems or scale, but also about investing early in the next generation, equipping them with skills, confidence, and values that allow them to contribute meaningfully to society.”

He added that improving employability among students ultimately strengthens communities and helps build a more resilient Philippines.

“When we help strengthen learning and improve employability, we are not just preparing them to be future workers, we are helping build stronger communities and a more resilient Philippines.”

Tanbuntiong also highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration between schools and industries.

“Real change happens when education and industry work together, when what students learn in school is informed by what the real world expects, and when industry steps up as a partner in education.”

The initiative reflects the Jollibee Group’s Inspire Joy leadership philosophy, encouraging young Filipinos to believe in their abilities and explore broader career opportunities. It also aligns with the company’s sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, which focuses on creating inclusive growth and long-term opportunities for the communities it serves.

By bringing together education and real-world industry experience, the partnership hopes to open meaningful career pathways for Senior High School students across the Philippines helping them step confidently into the workforce and build brighter futures.