The Iloilo Provincial Government, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and partner employers signed a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize the partnership for the implementation of the JobStart Program on Monday, May 29, 2023, at the Governor’s office Boardroom.
JobStart Philippines Program, under Republic Act 10869 or the JobStart Philippines Act, is a program of DOLE in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Canada to enhance youth employability.
The Iloilo Provincial Government, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) headed by Francisco Heler, Jr., has implemented the program in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
This year 2023 the province will fund the localized full-cycle implementation of the program for 20 beneficiaries while the DOLE will fund 80 beneficiaries.
Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. and DOLE VI regional director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez, Jr. led the MOA signing which was also joined by the representatives of the nine partner employers, namely, Angelina Bakeshop (Iloilo City), Bearland Paradise Resort (Tigbauan), Elliecakelove Bakery Supplies Trading (Iloilo City), Endielina’s Inland Resort Corporation (Estancia), Iloilo Yoo Kwang (Sta. Barbara), INA Agrifarm (Barotac Nuevo), Jollibee branches (Iloilo City), Theo’s (Iloilo City) and To Kay Ann Restaurant (Guimbal).
Under the program, the beneficiaries will undergo employment assessment, and participate in a 10-day Life Skills Training Program, one-on-one career coaching, a maximum of three months of technical training and a maximum of three months of company internships.
The program has a two-track pathway: those ready for a job are referred to employers, while the rest go through further career guidance, technical training, and internships with employers.
Gov. Defensor thanked DOLE for the continued partnership which paves the way for more employment opportunities for our youth.
“This is good because this intervention is what we need right now to address job mismatch and employment needs in the province,” Defensor said.
Qualified to apply for the program are those 18-24 years old, at least a high school graduate, with less than one year of work experience and residents of Iloilo Province.
Interested applicants may register online through the PESO Province of Iloilo Facebook Page.
FB Page link: PESO Province of Iloilo
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