Senator Sonny Angara has urged the government to intensify its jobs program that will help the youth land a job, as he laments the high youth unemployment rate in the country.
“The country’s unemployment challenge is primarily a youth phenomenon. The JobStart Law is the government’s answer to youth unemployment. Ang target ng programang ito ay ang mahigit isang milyong kabataang tambay na walang trabaho at hindi nag-aaral,” Angara said.
The veteran legislator is the sponsor of the JobStart Philippines Act or Republic Act 10869 that institutionalizes the nationwide implementation of the JobStart Program that gives the youth free technical and life skills training, placement in internships, as well as job matching assistance and job referrals.
The JobStart Program gives the youth free technical and life skills training, placement in internships, as well as job matching assistance and job referrals.
The April 2018 Labor Force Survey showed that Filipinos aged 15 to 24 comprised 46% or 1.1 million of the total 2.36 million unemployed.
Of the total unemployed, 41% have reached or finished high school, while 36% have reached or finished college.
“According to studies, it can take up to two years before new college graduates can get a job, while high school graduates can take up to four years. The job search is even longer for youth who dropped out of school. The JobStart Program aims to reduce the job search period from 2-4 years to just less than a year,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
“Many of our youth are unemployed due to lack of the right skill sets for the jobs available in our country. JobStart can help our youth become more employable,” the youthful senator added.
“Many of our youth are unemployed due to lack of the right skill sets for the jobs available in our country. JobStart can help our youth become more employable.”
To qualify for the program, one must be 18 to 24 years old; have at least reached high school level; not be employed, studying, or undergoing training; have no work experience or have less than one year of accumulated work experience.
The JobStart program is divided into three phases: 1) life skills training for 10 days; 2) technical skills training for three months; and, 3) company-based internship for six months.
Trainees shall receive daily allowance during the life skills and technical skills training. During the internship stage, the employer must provide daily stipend of not less than 75% of the prevailing minimum wage where the establishment is located.
JobStart graduates shall be given preference in the hiring of workers by the participating employers.
“Sabi ni Gat Jose Rizal, ‘Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.’ Huwag naman sana nating hayaan na maging tambay ng bayan ang ating kabataan,” Angara said.
“Kailangan nila ng kaukulang tulong upang makahanap ng maayos at disenteng trabaho para magkaroon sila ng direksyon sa buhay, at para matulungan ang kanilang pamilya na makaahon sa kahirapan,” he concluded.