Some 282 Fernandinos are now ready to enter the workforce after completing the 10-day life skills training under the JobStart program of the City Government of San Fernando.
The JobStart skills training was held after the city government collaborated with the Department of Labor and Employment, Government of Canada and Asian Development Bank.
The graduation ceremony held August 4 was led by Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, Davao City Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles, DOLE Regional Director Atty. Ana Dione, DOLE Provincial Chief Arlene Tolentino, Chief of Staff Engr. Remedios Agoncillo and Rotary Club of San Fernando President Fernando Caylao who represents the Jobstart Philippines Program partners.
Mayor EdSa said the city, through its Public Employment Service Office, has already produced a total of 911 JobStart graduates since its implementation in 2014 wherein San Fernando was among the four local government units that piloted the program.
“This is already our fifth batch and we strive to further increase the employability of youth-at-risk by providing free life skills & technical skills training and appropriate internships,” Santiago added.
For his part, Guest of Honor and Speaker Congressman Nograles, who is also the principal sponsor of the JobStart law in the congress, lauded the city government of San Fernando for maintaining a 98% placement rate that contributes to the reduction of youth unemployment not only in Central Luzon but also in the entire country.
“Bumaba ng 298,000 ang bilang ng mga unemployed youth dito sa atin. Ibig sabihin, mas dumami ang mga kabataan na nakakapagtrabaho at malaking bagay ang mga ginagawang hakbang ng mga LGUs tulad ng San Fernando,” he added.
Juriel Daraway, one of the JobStart graduates, said she is extremely happy for being a beneficiary of this program that has helped her boost confidence and enhance interpersonal skills which are essential in seeking a job.
At the age of 20, Daraway wants to land a stable job to sustain the needs of her three children and aid the medication of her mother and sister who both suffer leg injuries caused by a recent accident.
“Gusto ko pong tustusan ang pangangailangan ng pamilya ko at mai-ahon sila sa hirap. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa syudad sa pagbibigay sa akin ng oportunidad para muling makabangon at mas magpursigi para sa magandang kinabukasan,” Daraway said.
Meanwhile, a mini job fair attended by 14 local companies was also launched after the graduation program to allow the beneficiaries find suitable internships or get hired directly from their desired companies.