Tagum City – With the upcoming implementation of the first phase of the JobStart Program in Davao Region, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI conducted another Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing with participating employers in Tagum City, the second pilot area of the project, on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.

The MoA signing, held at the Tagum New City Hall, headed by DOLE XI Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao and Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon together with the Tagum City Public Employment Services Office (PESO).

Another MoA signing was held last Monday for Davao City which is the first pilot area in Region XI for the implementation of the program.

Jobstart Philippines is a DOLE implemented project funded by the Asian Development Bank through the government of Canada. It is being implemented through the local PESO offices of the target areas.

Qualified “JobStarters” will undergo ten days of life skills training, up to three months of JobStart-funded technical training and another three months of work experience with a “matched” employer/establishment. The interns in return will be receiving at least 75% of the minimum wage in the relevant city/municipality.

120 JobStarters will be selected for Davao City and Tagum City to join the first phase of JobStart.

During his speech, Director Suyao said that this is just the first batch as another set of applicants will be select by the end of the year for the second phase of the program.

“This is just the start because we are looking at expanding the coverage of our JobStart program because we see that this full cycle employment program facilitation is what we need now,” he added.

Director Suyao said that the program, is a good avenue to reduce unemployment of fresh graduates as it will empower them with both the soft skills and hard skills needed for them to be employable to the different industries.

“As I think of the JobStart program, this opens a new chapter in our press to reduce unemployment program in the city of Tagum in particular and in the country,” Mayor Rellon said during his message.

Frederick Rubinos, President and CEO of LYR Marketing and Furniture, also expressed his gratitude in behalf of all the employers involved for giving them the opportunity to join the program.

“Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this. We are truly hopeful that we, as employers will provide positive and conducive training crucial for our trainees to be productive employees of the community,” Rubinos said.

There are a total of 14 companies offering 223 job vacancies who will join the JobStart Program in Tagum.

Participating companies are: LYR Marketing, Sibling Selection, McDonalds,Black Fighter Security, Mabuhay Emission, Garden Drianca, Sky Cable, Hijo Resources, Tagum Doctors, Toyota Cars, Big 8 Hotel, BPI, Perfect Milling,and Penong’s.

Registration will start on April 11 to 14 at the New City Hall and the life skills training will be on April 18 to 29.

Qualified applicants should be aging between 18 to 24, at least a high school graduate (and may include college graduates and undergrads); have no job experience or have not more than one (1) year of experience; currently not in employment, nor enrolled in school or in any training, and actively seeking employment.

During the registration, applicants are encouraged to bring their valid IDs and copies of their birth certificate, latest school transcripts or training certificates.

Kriztja Marae G. Labrador/LCO-DOLEXI