SM Job Fair goes beyond jobs, brings digital skills and AI learning closer to Filipino communities

MORE THAN JOBS. MORE OPPORTUNITIES. SM Supermalls continues to bring employment and free upskilling opportunities closer to Filipino communities, helping jobseekers build brighter, future-ready careers.

As technology reshapes the way Filipinos work, learn, and do business, preparing for the future requires more than finding a job. It also means developing the skills and confidence to pursue new opportunities. This October, SM Supermalls continues to bring practical, future-ready learning closer to Filipino communities through upskilling programs across its malls. Among the month's featured initiatives are digital skills and AI literacy sessions at SM City North EDSA, SM City Manila, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Center Sangandaan, highlighting SM's growing commitment to making learning opportunities more accessible. Part of SM Job Fair's “More Than Jobs” advocacy, these programs will complement employment opportunities by helping students, jobseekers, professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs develop relevant skills for a changing world of work.

Opening Doors to Digital Careers Through DICT SPARK

On October 17 and 24 at SM City North EDSA, SM Supermalls and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) - ICT Academy will bring the SPARK Program closer to aspiring digital professionals through Virtual Assistant (VA) Services Level III training. 

SM Supermalls, through its SM Job Fair, continues to partner with DICT to expand access to digital learning opportunities that help
Filipinos become more competitive in an evolving workforce.

Implemented by DICT in collaboration with Aboitiz Foundation and BELART, the program offers 75 scholarship slots across three training batches for qualified National Capital Region residents. Through hybrid learning, practical workshops, and on-the-job training opportunities with industry partners, the program aims to equip participants with skills relevant to virtual assistance and the growing digital economy. More than classroom instruction, the training will emphasize hands-on application, helping learners build capabilities they can use in pursuing digital career opportunities.

LEARNING TODAY, READY FOR TOMORROW. Through partnerships with technology and training experts, SM Supermalls brings practical digital skills and AI learning closer to communities, helping Filipinos prepare for new career opportunities.

AI for ALL Brings Practical AI Learning to Manila and Pasay

On October 10, 17, and 24 at SM City Manila; and October 24 at SM Mall of Asia, AI for ALL, an initiative of SM Supermalls, Asia Pacific College (APC), and IBM SkillsBuild, will bring free, practical AI literacy sessions closer to the Manila Pasay communities. Designed for students, working professionals, and entrepreneurs, the session will turn mall space into an accessible weekend learning hub where participants can better understand artificial intelligence and explore how it can support productivity in school, work, and business. Through hands-on, learn-by-doing activities, participants will discover practical AI applications while developing awareness of responsible and ethical technology use.

LEARNING STARTS HERE. Participants register for the free AI upskilling session at SM Center Sangandaan,
bringing future-ready learning closer to the community.

For Maryann Dela Vega-Pono, a teacher at Isabelo Delos Reyes Elementary School, opportunities to learn new technologies should be made available to more people. “I encourage everyone na umattend sa mga ganitong seminar kasi marami kayong matutunan. Ang benefits nito ay mapupunta sa inyo. Malaking bagay po ito para sa atin, hindi lang sa teachers, para sa lahat.”

For Daniel Aplan, a BS Information Technology student at the University of Caloocan City, the session helped strengthen—and even challenge—what he already knew about AI. “This is an opportunity to acquire skills in AI, eto po ang pinaka-useful thing sa ngayon. May mga concept po na alam ko noon na mas naayos at mayroon ding nabago because of this training.”

The learning journey will also extend beyond the workshop through IBM SkillsBuild, a free online learning platform offering courses in AI and other in-demand skills. By making AI education available in a familiar community space, the initiative aims to reduce barriers to upskilling and help more Filipinos gain the confidence to navigate an increasingly digital workplace.

Making AI Easy to Learn with MusoLingo

In the last week of October at SM Center Sangandaan, SM Supermalls is also preparing an AI literacy workshop in partnership with MusoLingo, designed to introduce artificial intelligence to participants with little or no prior technical knowledge.

LEARNING BY DOING. Participants put new knowledge into practice as trainers guide them through interactive AI activities using their own devices.

The proposed two-hour session will follow a “learn by doing” approach, moving beyond traditional lectures to engage participants in practical AI challenges. Depending on the final workshop curriculum, participants will explore how to create effective prompts, use AI for writing and design, and apply emerging technology to everyday tasks. The session will also emphasize responsible AI use, including protecting personal information, recognizing scams and deepfakes, identifying inaccurate AI-generated information, and understanding potential bias. Participants are also expected to receive access to MusoLingo's introductory AI learning module and a completion certificate from the Global Clarity Foundation, subject to final program arrangements. 

More Than Jobs: Opportunities to Work, Learn, and Grow

Beyond these featured activities, SM Supermalls will continue offering free upskilling sessions at participating malls throughout October, reinforcing its commitment to bringing practical learning closer to communities. These initiatives complement SM Job Fairs, which connect applicants with employers, and SM Government Service Express (GSE) in select malls, which provides convenient access to essential government services. 

A jobseeker searches for career opportunities that match her qualifications and interests.

Together, these programs reflect SM's broader commitment to helping Filipinos access not only employment opportunities but also the skills and services that can support their personal and professional growth.

*Schedules and participating activities are subject to change. Interested participants are encouraged to check the official social media pages of participating SM malls for the latest details.

FUTURE-READY, TOGETHER. A diverse community of learners gathers at SM Center Sangandaan, showing how accessible upskilling can help more Filipinos prepare for the changing world of work.

From connecting jobseekers with employers to bringing practical learning closer to communities, SM Supermalls continues to create more opportunities for Filipinos to move forward. Because preparing for the future takes more than finding a job. It takes the skills, confidence, and opportunities to grow. More Than Jobs. Upskill for What's Next.

About SM Supermalls – Job Fairs

SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia's largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China. For generations, SM has grown alongside Filipino communities by creating destinations where people, businesses, and opportunities come together. Through SM Job Fairs, SM continues to evolve with the aspirations of Filipino job seekers by making employment opportunities more accessible across its malls nationwide. Designed for diverse job seeker communities—from fresh graduates and career shifters to experienced professionals—SM connects talent with employers through meaningful partnerships that support workforce development and inclusive economic growth. My SM. Your Most Loved Supermall.