SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday urged the government to strengthen and expand the apprenticeship programs to address the needs of the youth sector.

The senator particularly called on the Department of Labor and Employment to expand its programs for the youth.

The DOLE has three employment programs — Jobstart Philippines which was implemented in partnership with the private sector and local government units, the Special Program for the Employment of Students and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Apprenticeship and Learnership Programs.

The senator noted that private firms should also take a more active role in mentoring the youth.

“Most, if not all, businesses use digital tools and platforms for their operations,” she said.

“The youth are digital natives. Perhaps, businesses can come up with apprenticeships in content creation or digital marketing,” she added.

Hontiveros is also pushing youth agripreneurship for those in rural areas.

“Mayroon  tayong pending bill na magsusulong ng agrikultura at pagnenegosyo sa kanayunan. Para mapatunayan natin sa kabataan na may kinabukasan sa agrikultura,” she said.

“Naniniwala akong sa pamamagitan ng  apprenticeship programs ay manunumbalik ang tiwala ng mga magulang sa halaga ng edukasyon. Para matulungan ng kabataan ang kanilang mga sarili at ang kanilang mga pamilya,” she added.