MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon (PIA)—Some 100 youths graduated from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-JobStart Philippine Program (JSP) Wave 2 implementation recently hosted by the Local Government of Manolo Fortich at the Municipal Gymnasium here.
DOLE- Bureau of Local Employment Assistant Secretary Dominique “Nikki” Rubia-Tutay said the JSP full-cycle graduation was notable for being the first physical graduation ceremony rites conducted in the country since the start of the pandemic. She acknowledged the continued efforts of all the implementers, partner-employers, and all the lives put at risk in this pandemic to continue serving the people and boost the employment facilitation.
For her part, DOLE-10 Assistant Regional Director Estrella U. Pahalla, said this year’s JSP- Wave 2 in Manolo Fortich placed 100 trainees through a Memorandum of Agreement with the 15 local partner-employers, adding that the Department is pleased to inform the public on the 100% completion rate of the full-cycle or six months training on: (1) life-skills, (2) technical training, and (3) internship that produced 31 trainees employed by the respective partner-employers.
“We appreciate your commitment to help our Filipino youth hone their skills and bring out their best potential as we prepare them for the world of work. The confidence and all the things you have learned in the trainings and the hands-on experiences you have gathered during internship will lead you to your continued success even after your JobStart journey,” Tutay said.
Likewise, town Mayor Clive D. Quiño was elated by the positive results of the program.
“JobStart program made these youths become competitive in the labor market because of their trainings. The program also reduced the job search period of the youths after completing their degree because most of them were already placed and absorbed by the employers,” Quiño said.
With this setting, 24-year-old trainee-graduate Kristel Mae dela Cruz who completed her full cycle training at East-West Company, Incorporated as an Action Research Assistant, shared how the program helped her professionally.
“One of my top priorities as a fresh graduate is to land a job, unfortunately, because of the pandemic many establishments temporarily closed and employment became even worse especially for us who don’t yet have the experience and skills required by the company. Gratefully, JSP gave us an opportunity to gain some skills through trainings and gather hands-on experiences in the company.”
Also, 22-year-old JobStarter Leo Jaraula, completed his full-cycle training as a content writer and was employed by AV Creativity Studio as one of the administrators. He said he is very much grateful because JSP changed him to be a better version of himself.
“Without JSP, maybe most of us were still loiterers out there. Our experiences and learning in this program are not in vain as these will equip us in becoming productive workers,” Jaraula said.
The graduation ceremony recognized the efforts of both the JobStarters and partner employers for their unwavering support and dedication in improving the employability of the youth and granting them greater chances of being productive members of the labor market.
JobStart enhances employability of youth by reducing their job-search period and increasing their capability through training (life skills and technical skills required by industries), paid internship and full-cycle employment facilitation services. The program is also designed to increase the capacity of the Public Employment Service Office (PESOs) in providing full-cycle employment facilitation services.
The JobStart trainees received an allowance for the duration of life skills training and technical skills training and shall undertake internship with the establishments for a maximum of three months with stipend not less than 75% of the prevailing minimum wage in the locality. (DOLE-10/PIA-10/Bukidnon)
