PAGADIAN CITY, ZDS- The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office IX (DOLE 9) thru its Zamboanga del Sur Field Office (ZDSFO) has reached a job placement rate of 86% as 171 trainees were absorbed by employers after completing their internship under the Jobstart Program.

DOLE 9 Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo said that the Jobstart Philippines Program aims to address the high rate of unemployment among the youth and fresh graduates through partnership and collaboration among DOLE, City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and private business firms.

The program, which seeks to assist young Filipinos start their careers and find meaningful paid employment, is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through a grant from the Government of Canada.

Director Domingo added that in Region 9, Pagadian City has been chosen as one of the pilot cities to participate in the program.

The first wave of internship ended in October 2018 participated in by 66 trainees and 20 partner employers where 62 trainees were successfully absorbed by employers and shall start working as employees of said companies. Unplaced trainees will be referred to other employers for employment opportunities.

ZDSFO Chief Labor and Employment Officer Camilo Encila, Jr. said that for the second wave of the Jobstart Philippines Program internship, ZDSFO will strengthen its partnerships with employers thru a series of meetings.

Applicants must be at least 18-24 years old, either high school graduate, college level, vocational course graduates, fresh graduate, or individuals with less than one-year job experience in a private business firm.

Under the program, the potential employees have undergone several sets of training including technical training provided by the participating companies. The trainees are also given allowances and insurance coverage during their training. END/With reports from Melyn Dacua, Outsourced, ZDSFO