Beyond Degrees: How EY GDS Is Building a Skills-First Talent Pipeline for the AI Era

Manila, Philippines—Talent, as industries know it, is being redefined. Previously marked by degrees, titles, and tenure, capability is now recognized through practical skills – adaptability, digital fluency, and the capacity to apply knowledge in fast-changing environments.

Artificial intelligence (AI)’s rapid growth is certainly accelerating this change. As industries evolve, organizations now increasingly focus on developing talent, not only competing for it. For young professionals, this creates both opportunity and pressure: the drive for growth and the expectation to be workforce-ready from the start.

Bridging this gap now takes more than traditional education; it requires clear pathways linking academic learning and real-world application from the onset.

Building the foundations, from campus to career

EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) Philippines is responding by rethinking how talent is nurtured at its earliest stages.

Recognizing the growing need for AI, data analytics, and programming, EY GDS is moving from role-based pathways to a skills-first model that prioritizes nurturing talent over credentials.

A key element of this approach by the organization is direct collaboration with universities. By embedding enterprise tools, certifications, and hands-on learning into degree programs, EY GDS helps equip students with job-relevant skills before they enter the workforce.

This model moves learning beyond theory, helping students to meaningfully contribute from the start and not just qualify for roles.

Central to this approach is early exposure to enterprise platforms, such as ServiceNow.

ServiceNow is a digital workflow platform that helps organizations streamline operations across IT services, employee workflows, customer service, and risk management. The EY network, as a “Global Elite Partner,” integrates ServiceNow to mirror real-world business environments in its talent development strategy.

Students gain hands-on experience in automation, digital workflows, and AI governance – capabilities that are crucial today. More importantly, they learn how these tools work in organizations, connecting technical knowledge to business needs.

To realize its vision further, EY GDS launched the Academia Program – designed to immerse students in real workflows and business environments.

EY GDS programs, like the Accelerated Learning Program for ServiceNow (ALPS), likewise offer a structured path for students to build skills before graduation, aligning their progress with industry opportunities.

"This immersion bridges the gap between theory and practice, showing how academic concepts apply in real client situations. Students build confidence, improve decision-making, and enter the workforce prepared and effective from day one," says Raymond Go, EY GDS Philippines Consulting Leader.

In collaboration with Cebu Institute of Technology – University (CIT-U), ALPS begins two years before graduation, giving students time and exposure to build technical skills and professional maturity.

Aside from ServiceNow, EY GDS also reinforces its commitment through its Cybersecurity Academia Program and experienced bootcamps, in collaboration with CIT‑U. These equip students with both foundational and advanced skills through hands‑on, real‑world training. These programs immerse learners in areas such as cyber threat management, security operations, and risk and compliance—building highly in‑demand capabilities even before graduation.

Instead of focusing only on recruitment, EY GDS is building a sustainable talent pipeline that evolves with industry demands and new expectations. EY GDS gives students early exposure to practical tools, industry frameworks, and guided learning experiences, supporting their transition from classroom learning to professional roles, helping them enter the workforce more confident, job-ready, and able to contribute early to their roles.

Turning early exposure into long-term capability

Industry programs in academic curricula give students an edge. Early exposure to enterprise platforms and hands-on experience develops both technical skills and business understanding, especially in Risk Consulting and Assurance.

According to EY GDS Philippines Assurance Leader Karthik Bhaskaran, an integral part of early exposure involves a structured approach to industry fundamentals, professional presence, teaming, and communication. This method fosters a “questioning mindset,” a critical skill that sharpens professional skepticism, discipline, and integrity in the workplace.

Along with this, students’ digital fluency in tools such as Canvas, Financial Statement Tie-Out (FSTO), and Copilot exposes them to full professional services environments that help accelerate readiness for client contexts.

Working with practitioners is equally critical. This experience deepens understanding of real work in assurance and consulting, strengthening competence and confidence.

"Our program really sets a standard for industry-academia synergy. In our first academic collaboration in the Philippines, we’re able to give students access to industry platforms and progressive development tracks. Many graduates earn certifications and, in some cases, receive job offers before graduation. The program’s success has, in fact, expanded across Cebu, strengthening the region as a ServiceNow and Cybersecurity talent hub," says Diana Dionisio, EY GDS Philippines Talent Attraction and Acquisition Leader.

From a hiring standpoint, this means candidates are more adaptable, ready for work, and contribute faster – reducing the learning curve for technical roles and teamwork.

For EY GDS, early career exposure is not an endpoint – it is the foundation of sustained capability. By aligning academic learning with real-world applications, it is helping to shape confident professionals who are not only technically equipped but also adaptable to continuous change.

As AI changes work, this approach ensures talent development is both immediately relevant and resilient for the future.

To learn more about EY GDS, visit the official website at

https://www.ey.com/en_ph/careers/global-delivery-services