Make internship more meaningful

Teaching and Employment The training rooms at PwC’s Learning and Experience Centre at PUP BPO Centre can accommodate up to 250 people.

Whether it’s serving coffee, making copies or buying packed lunches, office interns are often tasked with menial tasks that barely stretch their education. The challenge is to move away from traditional internship programs to meet the demands of a competitive job market.

Now, educators and industry leaders are pushing for more experiential learning. Academic internship programs must foster an environment where students can put conceptual knowledge into practice in the workplace.

Professional services firm PwC Philippines/Isla Lipana & Co. on July 17 launched the Learning and Experience Center, a pioneering facility that integrates education, employment and community engagement.

The 1,000-square-meter center is located in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) BPO Center, adjacent to PUP’s main campus in Manila, and aims to bridge the gap between academia and potential employers, creating unique opportunities for students and the community.

“We have to address the declining quality of the workforce. We want to provide them (students) with real work experience,” said Roderick Danao, chairman and senior partner at PwC Philippines.

First, the Learning and Experience Center provides paid internships for post-secondary students from various fields such as accounting, engineering, computer science and business. Danao said students will be paid hourly wages and abide by industry standards and the requirements of the Department of Labor.

“We won’t call you interns; you’ll be part of our flexible workforce. We’ll develop (your skills) using the same learning and development programs that PwC offers to its full-time professionals,” Danao explained.

The first-of-its-kind Learning and Experience Center is a pioneering facility that provides real-life work experiences. —Photo by VANESSA B. HIDALGO

Related training

As part of the center’s innovative approach, he said PwC will “adopt and deploy the (same) technology available to our professionals” in practical consulting, audit and tax advisory. “This will greatly enhance their skills and hopefully make them world-class professionals,” said Danao, also a PwC alumnus.

The center will provide students with practical experience related to their academic courses while working under the guidance of experienced professionals from PwC’s audit, consulting or tax services. The program is designed not only to enhance their interpersonal skills, but also to support professional growth and provide experience.

It aims to enable students to apply academic knowledge to the real world, gain a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field, develop critical thinking and analytical skills, build professional networks and improve their employment prospects after graduation.

Manuel Muhi, President of PUP, said: “The Learning and Experience Centre is a testament to the powerful synergy between the private sector and educational institutions. We recognise that we have a shared responsibility to invest in our students’ futures by providing them with hands-on experience and mentorship from industry leaders.”

PwC and PUP began discussions as early as 2022 to revive the latter’s internship program into a more attractive and goal-oriented course. In addition to being a key credential for students, the Learning and Experience Center is expected to become a “model for future collaborations.”

Mushi added: “(It) sets a new standard for how we approach education and career development through initiatives like this.”

Leisure Places Zen Garden at PwC-PUP Learning Center.

“First of its kind”

The centre has meeting and training rooms that can accommodate 250 people, a cafeteria and a Zen garden. The centre is equipped with modern audio-visual equipment such as smart TVs, security cameras and a courtyard, which is said to be a first in the industry.

Designed to foster a collaborative environment where learning and practice are combined, the program reflects PwC Philippines’ “commitment to innovation and excellence” and provides a “sustainable platform that supports the holistic development of students.”

Students will be required to complete an internship of 200 to 400 hours, depending on their specific course. In addition, the Center offers part-time job opportunities for students prior to their actual internship. The time students put in at these part-time jobs will count towards their internship hours.

The program will initially be open to PUP students and will be expanded to students from other colleges and universities. The program aims to recruit its first cohort of 150 to 200 students by the end of 2024.

What can PwC gain from this? With the transfer of knowledge and technology, in today’s world where competition for talent is increasingly fierce, PwC can certainly give priority to obtaining a wider range of human resources.

Workplace inclusion is also a priority for PwC. Rather than outsourcing maintenance and management, the centre will employ other members of the community, including people with disabilities and the elderly.

“At PwC Philippines, we believe in the power of diversity. Regardless of age or ability, every contribution strengthens our purpose. We are proud to create opportunities for all, which reflects our commitment to a better tomorrow,” added Danao.