ILOILO – The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the provincial government hopes to reduce unemployment and job mismatch through the free JobStart Philippines’ Life Skills Training.
The program is funded by the Department of Labor and Employment and Asian Development Bank.
It is helpful especially to young jobseekers having a difficult time finding employment after graduation, said PESO head Francisco Heler.
“In the program, we emphasize to participants that attitude and character are very important. They are taught how to build relationships with people because they will be working with people,” Heler said.
Recently 98 “JobStarters” completed a 10-day training that Heler described as a full-cycle employment facilitation service providing free employability enhancement and skills training.
Heler said it equipped the trainees with social and interpersonal skills that will enable them to cope with the demands that come with being employed.
It boosted their self-confidence, encouraged critical thinking, fostered independence and taught them “to communicate more effectively,” he added.
The graduates are set to undergo up to three months of technical skills training, and a maximum of three months of internship with PESO-partner industries.
Heler said the technical skills training that the graduates will go through will depend on the company which would employ them.
“The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority can also provide them with training depending on the training regulation of the company they will apply to,” he said.
Heler said not only college graduates participated in the Life Skills Training but also high school graduates. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
