The Department of Labor and Employment has chosen the Aboitiz Group for the implementation of its JobStart Philippines program aiming to shorten the job search period of young Filipinos who are not in education, employment, or training (youth NEET), by providing them with career coaching, life skills and technical training, and paid internships with major employers.

The collaboration was officially sealed last 25 May between Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin Aboitiz at the Aboitiz Group office in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

In his remarks, Laguesma said partnership lies at the core of JobStart and its full implementation cycle begins and ends with strengthening its relationship with partner employers that facilitate the most crucial stages of a new jobseeker’s path to productive and decent employment.

Quest for learning and new experiences

“Nowadays, young Filipinos all over the country have this distinct hunger and insatiable quest for learning and new experiences, and this is what drives us to constantly push the boundaries of the program’s coverage through purpose-driven initiatives. With business units in six of the biggest sectors in the country, I am confident that this partnership [with the Aboitiz Group] will help foster JobStart Philippines’ advocacy to promote and improve the security of our youth’s future,” he said.

For his part, Sabin Aboitiz, president of the Aboitiz Group stressed that as the Aboitiz Group undergoes its Great Transformation to become the Philippines’ first Techglomerate, it is leveraging technology and innovation to find better ways of advancing businesses and communities.

He said embracing innovation and technology has gotten the Group the notice of the public as a partner of choice in modernizing communities, including working with the public sector to ensure that the Filipino youth is future-ready for the work of today and tomorrow.

“In investing in our nation’s youth, we are investing in the future of the Philippines. The Aboitiz Group is committed to this partnership, firmly believing that every young Filipino should be equipped with the right tools, training, and opportunities to thrive in today’s world. This partnership is not just about meeting immediate employment needs; it’s about fostering an environment where our youth can flourish, innovate and drive the nation forward,” Aboitiz said.

Under JobStart, beneficiaries undergo a full-cycle employment facilitation program that begins with DoLE career coaching and life skills training to prepare the youth for the workforce.

Subsequently, recipients of the program will be referred to strategic partners, including the Aboitiz Group, for technical training for up to three months and conducive paid internships for two to three months.

The implementation of the JobStart program was institutionalized under Republic Act 10869 or the JobStart Philippines Act, enacted on 29 June 2016.

Since then, there have been around 29,000 beneficiaries of the program nationwide, and the local government unit-based Public Employment Service Office serves as implementer of the program.