CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 initiated the conduct of Visayas-Mindanao cluster JobStart Philippines Program (JSP) implementers orientation and planning, March 30-April 1, here.
The three-day training, attended by 36 VisMin focal persons, aims to improve the capacity of DOLE and Public Employment Service Office (PESO) technical staff for continuous program implementation by providing full-cycle employment facilitation services on registration; client assessment; life skills, technical skills training; and internship.
DOLE-10 Regional Director Albert Gutib commended the local chief executives, PESO managers, Asian Development Bank and the government of Canada for the program’s effective strategy bridging government employment facilitation systems.
Gutib revealed that JSP created wage jobs for the youth to help reduce poverty and income inequality in northern Mindanao with 60 partner employers benefiting more than 900 beneficiaries, 540 were women, with 161 who are permanently employed in their partner firms that are committed to youth employment
Meanwhile, the event culminated on 1 April 2022 with a strong commitment that forges strengthened implementation, after a cross-learning session at Pinegrove Mountain Lodge, a JSP partner employer in Dahilayan, Bukidnon.
Project recipients Manolo Fortich and Cagayan de Oro City alongside beneficiaries showcased testimonies, strategies and best practices among counterparts.
Leo Jaraula, a graduate of BS Elementary Education from Northern Bukidnon State College in Manolo Fortich and is one of the beneficiaries who struggled from unemployment, shared his success story during the said session.
“I was fortunate to hear about a program which offers life skills training and technical training and internship for unemployed youth. I was overwhelmed after hearing about the coordination of PESO and DOLE to implement the JobStart Program in our municipality. This gave me the opportunity to land a job without having prior employment experiences.” Jaraula said.
“As of the moment, I am working as an administrator at AVC Creativity Studio Digital Marketing Services and was able to fully utilize the lessons I learned from the trainings. Indeed, JSP is my gateway to become job ready,” he added.
DOLE Assistant Secretary and Director of Bureau of Local Employment Dominique Rubia-Tutay recognized LGUs and PESOs’ efforts in providing DOLE’s employment facilitation system, as an outstanding opportunity for youth employment and career readiness for the labor force. (DOLE-10/PIA-10)
