YOUNG Filipinos are among the strongest believers in entrepreneurship in the Asia-Pacific region, with more than nine in 10 saying an “entrepreneurial mindset” could help them thrive in any occupation, a new study found.
The Philippines posted a 94-percent agreement rate, among the highest in the region alongside Indonesia and Malaysia and well above the Asia-Pacific average of 85 percent, according to the latest Asia Pacific Youth Insights report commissioned by Federal Express Corp. (FedEx) and Junior Achievement.
The study surveyed 4,219 people aged 15 to 22 across 10 Asia-Pacific markets between June and July to determine how prepared young people feel for their future careers amid changes in technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and global trade.
“The strong belief among Filipino youth that an entrepreneurial mindset is critical to success reflects their confidence, ambition and willingness to embrace opportunities in a constantly evolving world,” said Garrick Thompson, managing director of FedEx Philippines.
According to the study, many young Filipinos see entrepreneurial skills as useful beyond starting a business, particularly the ability to take initiative and identify and act on opportunities even while working as employees.
Across the region, however, belief in those skills did not always translate into confidence in applying them.
Only 61 percent of respondents said they were confident about generating new ideas or solutions, while 59 percent felt confident working independently and making decisions without significant guidance.
Young people also placed a premium on practical experience, as real workplace exposure, problem-solving and creative thinking were among the capabilities respondents most wanted formal education to strengthen, while adaptability and learning agility were seen as the most important skills over the next 10 to 15 years.
Filipino respondents were particularly confident about the role of schools in preparing them for a changing workplace.
The report said 94 percent credited formal education with preparing them for their careers and trade knowledge, while 95 percent felt their education was preparing them to use AI, among the highest levels recorded in the survey.
That contrasts with the broader regional results: 84 percent of Asia-Pacific respondents expect to work alongside AI, but only 62 percent said their education was preparing them to use the technology in an actual workplace. (Logan Kal-El M. Zapanta © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
