100 Ilonggo youth to benefit from JobStart program

By John Noel E. Herrera

One hundred Ilonggo youth will benefit from the implementation of the JobStart program this year as they will undergo training to improve their personal values and skills, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6.

JobStart Philippines is a program of DOLE in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Canada that is meant to enhance young Filipinos’ employability.

For this year’s implementation, the Iloilo Provincial Government noted that the province will fund the localized full-cycle implementation of the program for 20 beneficiaries, while the DOLE will fund the 80 remaining youths.

On Monday, May 29, 2023, the provincial government, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Iloilo, DOLE, and partner employers signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalize the partnership for the implementation of the project this year.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said that the program, which the province has already implemented in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022, will also help address the job mismatch among Ilonggos.

“This is good because this intervention is what we need right now to address the job mismatch and employment needs in the province,” Defensor said.

PESO-Iloilo chief Francisco Heler Jr. noted that the beneficiaries will undergo career guidance, training and internship programs for them to recognize their abilities, plan their career paths and prepare them for interviews and actual work.

“This is also to reduce the job search nila kag matagaan sila sang dako nga oportunidad para makaubra through career guidance, life skills training, technical training and internship program,” Heler said.

DOLE earlier said that under the program, the beneficiary will undergo employment assessment, participate in a 10-day Life Skills Training (LST) Program, one-on-one career coaching, a three-month technical training and company internship.

The agency added that the program has a two-track pathway as those who will be ready for a job will be referred to employers (wage employment pathway), while others will go through further career guidance, technical training, and internships with employers (training and internship pathway).

The program has nine partner employers for this year, which include Angelina Bakeshop, Bearland Paradise Resort, Elliecakelove Bakery Supplies Trading, Endielina’s Inland Resort, Iloilo Yoo Kwang, INA Farmers Learning Site and AgriFarm, Jollivee, Theo’s, and To Kay Ann Restaurant.

PESO-Iloilo said that qualified applicants are those who are 18 to 24 years old, at least high school graduates with less than one-year work experience and residents of the province.