Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz encourages the full support of the private sector in the implementation of JobStart Philippines in Davao Region during the MOU signing held recently in a Hotel in Davao City. (Photo by Roberto A. Gumba. Jr) Top official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) urged private establishments in Davao Region to back its new program on employment facilitation.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz offered a personal invitation to local companies to support the newly-launched JobStart Philippines program.

JobStart Philippines DOLE’s newest employment facilitation program in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Government of Canada which aims to assist young Filipinos with career development pathways by creating opportunities to improve their technical skills and develop the life skills necessary for success in today’s competitive workplace through partnerships with employers.

The cities of Davao and Tagum are among the pilot sites for the second-wave roll out of the program outside National Capital Region.

Speaking recently during the signing of the program’s Memorandum of Understanding between the DOLE and the two pilot cities for Davao Region, Baldoz said she has high hopes that the companies will cooperate in the implementation of the program alongside with the local government units.

“I’ve seen the transformation of our beneficiaries though the partnership of our (first wave) pilot sites and private establishments. I hope that here aside from local government units through the PESO (Public Employment Services Office), we will implement it together with your companies representing private investors of the region,” she said.

“Expect that we will conduct series of thorough discussions with private establishments and investors to gain your support,” Baldoz said addressing about 100 audience including PESO managers, HR managers, business owners and leaders from at least 38 private establishments who came to witness the event.

Based on the design of the program, private establishments from different industries will be the venue for the three-month internship program after the “JobStarters” have finished the eight-day life-skills training and three-month technical training.

“The program aims to help young Filipino jobseekers, 18 to 24 years old with less than one year or no work experience, at least high school graduate who is not currently working or enrolled in school or training and is seeking for a job,” Baldoz said.

“This hopefully will give a good head-start in their career by creating opportunities to enhance their technical skill and develop their life skill,” she added. (Roberto A. Gumba, Jr./DOLE-GIP)