Watsons and Punlaan School apprenticeship program for pharmacy assistants holds graduation for 1st batch of scholars

Mr. Danilo S. Chiong, Watsons Philippines Managing Director

The first commencement exercises for the apprenticeship program's pioneer batch of 20 scholars who successfully completed a six-month pharmacy assistant apprenticeship program were held by renowned health and beauty retailer Watsons in collaboration with Punlaan School.

Watsons launched the apprenticeship program in an effort to meet their promise to close the employment gap for pharmacy assistants and give young people access to the workforce. Watsons filled the void by partnering with Punlaan School to offer impoverished young women sufficient training to become pharmacy assistants, a career that would guarantee them a stable income. 

The six-month Watsons-Punlaan School apprenticeship program consists of three months of classroom instruction and three months of hands-on training in Watsons stores.   Throughout their training, apprentices are given stipends, and upon successful completion of the program, Watsons hires the graduates. Beiersdorf Philippines has also contributed to the program's funding. 

“As the number of Watsons stores grow all over the country, the more that we are in need of pharmacy assistants to better serve our customers. The Watsons and Punlaan school pharmacy assistant apprenticeship program is not only a pioneer in the health, beauty & wellness industry, but it has also served as an instrument to prepare scholars through effective mentorship. This has transformed the scholars to become effective pharmacy assistants, helping jumpstart the careers of scholars towards a meaningful career path.” ~Danilo Chiong, Managing Director of Watsons Philippines during his keynote speech

A goal of 400 scholars dispersed among several partner schools has been set by Watsons. The partnership wants to reach 434 scholars who have completed the apprenticeship program in its entirety by November.

Josie C. Arriola, Director for People Innovations Projects - Watsons Philippines

“With this pioneer batch of the Watsons and Punlaan school apprenticeship program being a success, we plan to conduct even more programs and expand our partnerships with different organizations inside and outside of Metro Manila. Through this constant effort, we hope to reach more scholars and bring them opportunities towards a better future.” ~Josie C. Arriola, Director for People Innovations Projects - Watsons Philippines

Batch top 1 student Princess Bernadette A. Consinsino during her valedictory speech

“The main highlight of the entire program for me was the bond I have created with my classmates. From the time we started, even when we were all just starting to know one another, it felt like everyone treated each other like a family. My batchmates and I are grateful to be part of this first batch of graduates and to Watsons and Punlaan School for providing us a path to apply our learnings and work towards a great future.” ~Princess Bernadette A. Consinsino, The batch’s top 1 Student 

Consinsino encouraged more women to take the chance and to not be afraid of grabbing new opportunities.

“It is an honor and privilege for Beiersdorf to have contributed to this wonderful cause of allowing young women the right resources and path to thrive. As our graduates move forwards, I encourage all of you to always dream big, be comfortable with the uncomfortable, break barriers to create and inclusive society and lastly, to pay it forwards–as the pioneer graduates of the Watsons and Punlaan School apprenticeship program, you pave the way as inspirations for the ones yet to come.” ~Nimisha Jain, Country Manager - Beiersdorf Philippines

This program and other efforts geared towards sustainability and the community are some ways in which Watsons, with the help of its customers, continues to uphold its promise to help people look good, do good and feel great.

Shop your health and beauty favorites at over 1,000 Watsons stores nationwide or download the Watsons App for online shopping.

For more information on how to look good, do good, feel great, follow on Instagram, like on Facebook, and follow on TikTok.

About Watsons Philippines:

With over 8,000 stores and 1,500 pharmacies in 15 Asian, European and Middle East markets, Watsons is No.1 Personal Care and Beauty retailer in Asia*

We are here to help our customers look good, do good and feel great, every day – by providing a market-leading variety of brands and products, plus personalized advice and counseling in health, beauty and personal care.

Watsons is part of the AS Watson Group, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer operating over 16,500 stores under 12 retail brands in 28 markets, with over 130,000 employees worldwide. For the fiscal year 2023, AS Watson Group recorded revenue of US$23 billion. Every year, it is serving over 5.5 billion shoppers via its O+O (Offline plus Online) platforms, providing tech-enabled retail experience to customers offline and online.

*Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Top 50 Brands survey with 10,000 respondents across 6 Asian countries

For more information on how to look good, do good, feel great, follow on Instagram, like on Facebook, and follow on TikTok.