AROUND 110 youth in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur moved to the second phase of the Life Skills Training of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Jobstart Philippines program.

Roy Buenafe, DOLE regional director, said the program aims to assist in the school-to-work transition by enhancing the knowledge and skills acquired through formal education or technical training.

“We are helping unemployed youth become more employable by equipping them with necessary skills. This program is being implemented in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office of Pagadian City and partner employers,” Buenafe said.

The second phase of the LST involves technical training, job matching, and internship that will be handled by the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority.

“The length of the training will depend on what vocational course the trainees will take to acquire National Certificate Level II. It will range from 15 to 44 days,” he said.

Under the first phase of the LST, the participants’ personal competencies and work habits were developed and enhanced to prepare them for work.

The DOLE and Public Employment Service Office of Pagadian City sought the services of YES Academy to deliver the first phase of the LST in 10 days.

Each of the trainees received a P3,200 training allowance and a certificate of completion after finishing the first phase.

“Upon completion of an internship with partner employers, the trainees will be further assessed and evaluated by the PESO to determine their overall job readiness and whether they should be referred for employment or require further training,” Buenafe said.