DOLE-Plan International Tie Up to Enhance Youth Employability

The labor department has partnered with a child-focused development and humanitarian organization to advance the employability of Filipino youth and promote decent work that is free from all forms of discrimination.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Plan International Philippines Country Director Dennis Guy O’Brien last week signed an agreement centered on the implementation of skills development programs and services in support to DOLE’s mandate of improving the employment situation in the country.

“This partnership is focused on the provision of skills development trainings for youth to advance their employability and facilitate their transition into productive members of the country’s labor force,” Bello said.

Under the agreement, Plan International will complement the DOLE JobStart Philippines Program by introducing its Youth Employment Solution (YES!) Academy, a digital life skills training platform that provides free access on skills development courses, and information on their rights against exploitation.

The organization will also support the DOLE in reducing the youth’s job-search period through its Training and Employment Support Service Assistant (TESSA), a chat bot portal that can assist the marginalized youth on their job hunting.

Also, DOLE and Plan International will strengthen its partnership in combatting labor exploitation, particularly child labor and forced labor in fishing vessels through the collaborative implementation of the Safeguarding Against and Addressing Fishers’ Exploitation at Sea (SAFE Seas) Project and its Safe Fishing Alliance.

“We are excited to be collaborating with DOLE to increase the opportunities for decent employment for Filipinos who are unemployed or under-employed, especially the young people. This is part of our commitment to making lasting improvements in the quality of life of Filipino children and youth,” said O’Brien.