AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, has crossed a major milestone in its global youth employment pledge, recruiting 134,000 young people worldwide and delivering 3.8 million hours of training to help shape the next generation of retail leaders. The accomplishment places the company more than halfway toward its target of creating 200,000 opportunities for young people by 2030.
Launched in 2022, the pledge aims to address longstanding challenges facing young jobseekers, including limited workplace exposure and the gap between academic learning and real-world skills. AS Watson’s investment in training reflects its commitment to closing that gap: new joiners receive an average of 28 hours of learning in their first year, helping them build confidence and capability early in their careers.
Group CEO Dr. Malina Ngai said the commitment goes far deeper than recruitment alone. At AS Watson, we give young people more than a job – we give them belonging, purpose, and the tools to succeed. When we invest in young people, we invest in the future of everything – our industry, our communities, and our world. That’s the real purpose behind every opportunity we create.
In the Philippines, Watsons continues to strengthen this mission through partnerships with academic institutions and local communities. The company has welcomed around 850 interns and apprentices to date, offering hands-on community pharmacy experience, retail immersion, and corporate skills training. Many participants move on to full-time roles, highlighting Watsons’ commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and supporting career development from the ground up.
Beyond providing first jobs, AS Watson’s youth program is built to support long-term growth. It focuses on developing digital fluency, customer engagement skills, and leadership potential, while working closely with schools and NGOs to ensure wider access to career pathways across different markets.
As it moves forward, AS Watson remains committed to expanding its impact by reaching 200,000 youth employment opportunities by 2030, boosting training in digital and sustainability-related roles, and accelerating innovation through technology and generative AI in retail.
For more information on AS Watson’s youth employment initiatives and career opportunities, visit Join Us | AS Watson Group – A member of CK Hutchison Holdings.