“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been resolute in boosting the employability of our youth,” Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said. This is the directive received by Secretary Laguesma – to fast-track the employment chances of our young.
“Tinitingnan kung paano mabibigyan ng akmang kasanayan ang ating mga mag-aaral para maihanda sila sa future work nila,” the DOLE chief noted, adding that the Marcos Jr. administration, through the DOLE, is implementing various programs to assist the youth in getting jobs.
He shared that among these programs is the JobStart Philippines Program or JSP, which is one of the priority youth employability programs being implemented by the DOLE.
JobStart combines on-the-job training with practical internships, designed to equip the youth with crucial skills before entering the workforce.
“So, kasama iyan para maging labor-ready ang mga kabataan,” Secretary Laguesma pointed out.
Context of the program
The project design of JobStart was developed from 2013-2014, specifically to improve the integration of “at-risk youth” into productive employment. At-risk youth are those who are out of school and not working and with at least a high school education. They are also referred to as “not in education, employment or training,” or NEET.
In January 2014, JobStart was launched in four pilot local government units (LGUs) through their Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs). An initial set of 1,600 beneficiaries were randomly selected.
These JobStarters were provided Career Guidance and Employment Coaching, information on Local Labor Market conditions, career assessments, and Life Skills Training Program. After this, they were matched to available training and internship vacancies.
Jobstart was institutionalized through Republic Act (R.A.) 10869, otherwise known as the “JobStart Philippines Act” passed on June 29, 2016. The program has since been implemented throughout the country.
The Act states the following, among others:
-The JobStart Philippines Program aims to shorten the youth’s school-to-work transition by enhancing the knowledge and skills acquired in formal education or technical training by job seekers for them to become more responsive to the demands of the labor market.
-The JobStart Program shall include full employment facilitation services such as registration, client assessment, life skills training with one-on-one career coaching, technical training, job matching, and referrals to employers either for further technical training, internship, or employment.
-The JobStart trainee shall receive a training allowance from the JobStart unit for the duration of the technical training.
-A JobStart trainee shall no longer be required to undergo a probationary period at the end of the internship phase should the trainee be hired in the same establishment upon completion of the program: Provided, That said trainee also completed his or her technical training within the training plan prepared by the same participating employer.
Marcos Jr. admin boosts Jobstart
From its pilot launch in 2014, JobStart has since been rolled out nationwide. The Marcos Jr. administration strengthened the implementation of JobStart to benefit more youths and prepare them for productive employment.
In Iloilo City (June 2023), 79 trainees completed the 10-day JobStart Life Skills Training which started their full-cycle employment facilitation. This included job matching, interview and selection by employers, training plan preparation, signing of internship contract, technical training, and finally, internship. DOLE. This was done in partnership with the Iloilo Provincial Government. Ten companies joined this JobStart training.
One of the JobStarters was E. Senupe, a senior high-school graduate who was not able to proceed to college due to financial problems. He said, “It is my dream to finish a Hotel or Tourism Management course and this is an opportunity for me to find a job and save for my studies.” He thanked the DOLE, the provincial government and President Marcos Jr. for providing the benefits of JobStart to him and his co-trainees.
In San Fernando, Pampanga (July 2024), 50 youths completed their 10-day JobStart training. Among them was M. Sengson, a 22-year old beneficiary, who said, “JobStart Philippines prepared us for the real world and for our future,” She thanked DOLE, their LGU and President Marcos Jr. for the program.
In Kidapawan City, Cotabato (December 2024), 50 young individuals completed JobStart. A total of 33 of the graduates were employed by the JobStart partner companies in the city. J. Natad, who was trained in the program, said, “The JobStart Program didn’t just provide us with technical skills; it also taught us the value of teamwork, resilience, and a growth mindset. Thank you, DOLE, PESO and PBBM.”
Another JobStart graduate in Kidapawan City, Ralph C., shared, “JobStart Philippines has been invaluable in training and educating first-time job seekers like me. Thank you to DOLE, PESO, coordinators, facilitators, City Government of Kidapawan, and President Marcos Jr. for this incredible opportunity and for helping us take the first steps toward fulfilling our dreams.”
In Legazpi City, Albay (September 2022), 62 youths completed JobStart after which they were enlisted to undergo a more technical training for their eventual employment in three partner companies of the program.
Beneficiary J. Aranja said, “I would like to thank the DOLE, PESO and PBBM for the opportunity. Sa 10 days na Life Skills Training namin sa JobStart, marami talaga kaming natutunan. Maganda po itong opportunity para ma-training dahil ang isang tao ay ‘di lang natatapos sa isang kasanayan, kailangan natin ng panibagong kaalaman at skills.”
In Cebu City (September 2024), 20 Jobstarters completed their training which was launched by DOLE and Cebu City’s Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP). The recruitment of new trainees for the “second wave JobStart” in the city was also announced. Six companies partnered with the Cebu City Government in the program.
In Tacloban City (October 2024), 60 youths completed JobStart in which they underwent life skills and technical training. They also got the chance to obtain work experience through paid internships in partnership with some private employers in the city. Of the 60 JobStart program completers, 46 were absorbed for employment.
In Alaminos City, Pangasinan (December 2024), 20 Jobstarters completed their training organized by DOLE, Alaminos Pangasinan LGU and PESO. And in Zamboanga City (August 2024): 40 Jobstarters completed their 10-day JobStart PH Life Skills Training. They were all not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
Several other beneficiaries posted on social media their appreciation for the JobStart PH Program.
- Martin said in her social media account, “I am proud to be one of the JobStart Agusan del Sur last year. Thank you DOLE. Thank you PBBM.” J. Saci also thanked DOLE, PESO Kidapawan and President Marcos Jr. He said, “Proud Jobstarter beneficiary here.”
JobStart provides a new lease in life
The DOLE reported that 4,080 youths have already benefited from the strengthened JobStart program under the Marcos Jr. administration.
JobStart Program beneficiaries during Marcos Jr. administration reached 424 from July to December 2022; 1,744 in 2023; and 1,912 in 2024, for a total of 4,080.
The department noted the improvement in the youth employment situation in the country as more and more young Filipinos participate and complete JobStart training and ultimately find jobs in the JobStart partner companies.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma underscored the significant contribution of JobStart PH Program in President Marcos Jr.’s drive to boost the employability of the youth in particular and in providing jobs to the Filipino workers in general. This program sparks hope among the young: they may be down today but not out, and JobStart is giving them a new lease in life.
