DOLE JOBSTART PHILIPPINES PROGRAM EMPOWERS FRESH GRADUATE IN BATANGAS FOR INSTITUTIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Batangas Provincial Office, in active partnership with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Sto. Tomas City, continues to bridge the transition between graduation and formal employment through the JobStart Philippines (JSP) program. Among the recent success stories of the youth employment initiative is Arabella A. Yazon, a 23-year-old resident of San Isidro Sur, City of Sto. Tomas, who successfully transitioned into the public sector after completing her training framework. 

Ms. Arabella A. Yazon, fresh gradate and a beneficiary of JobStart Philippines Program (Photo: Contributed/Official Documentation)

Like many newly graduated individuals, Yazon faced the immediate challenge of navigating a highly competitive labor market with limited professional exposure. The anxiety of securing a stable position straight out of university served as a primary concern during her transition from academics to the workforce. Reflecting on her entry into the government program immediately after completing her studies, “Para sa akin, ito yung magiging problem ko pagkatapos ko makagraduate. Dahil ayon sa pananaw ko, mahirap makahanap ng trabaho sa panahon ngayon.” Yazon shared.

Yazon first discovered the youth development initiative through digital announcements published on the official social media page of PESO Sto. Tomas. Recognizing the opportunity to build her foundational capabilities as a fresh graduate before entering the corporate or institutional workforce, she decided to formalize her application.

This proactive youth matching strategy reflects the comprehensive labor agenda of DOLE Secretary Francis N. Tolentino, which emphasizes structural human capital development and the enhancement of life skills among young Filipino workers. Under Secretary Tolentino’s strategic directives, programs like JobStart Philippines are designed to shorten the school-to-work transition by equipping young jobseekers with specialized workplace behavior, technical readiness, and professional values.

From June 5 to June 18, 2025, Yazon participated in the intensive Life Skills Training component of the program. The intervention integrated traditional instructional lectures with interactive role-playing exercises, group discussions, and peer idea-sharing sessions facilitated by experienced resource speakers and industry mentors.

Ms. Arabella A. Yazon on Soft Core Skills Training Graduation Ceremony (Photo by: Leomar C.  De Torres/ DOLE BPO)

Describing the collaborative and interactive nature of the learning modules, “Para sa akin, memorable ang naging experience ko noong Jobstarter pa lang ako. Marami ako na meet na iba’t-ibang tao at marami rin akong natutunan sa kanila. Especially, sa aming mga mentors/speakers na nagbigay ng kanilang mga karanasan at kaalaman para sa aming mga wala pang experience sa trabaho noon.” Yazon shared

The multi-faceted curriculum specifically targeted areas concerning professional ethics, interpersonal workplace relations, and communication standards. This institutional focus directly contributed to an increase in the self-confidence and self-awareness of the trainees, aligning their behavioral competencies with the actual expectations of employers. “Para sakin, ang pinaka importante na natutunan ko sa aking Jobstart journey ay yung paraan kung paano makisama sa ibang tao at kung paano mag act as professional lalo na pag may trabaho na. Dahil doon, naging mas aware ako sa mga nakapaligid sa akin at pati na rin sa aking sarili na maging professional sa lahat ng bagay.” Yazon emphasizing the long-term impact of the modules on her profession.

Following her completion of the program, Yazon successfully secured employment with a partner employer, entering public service under the Department of Education (DepEd) – Schools Division Office (SDO) in Sto. Tomas City, Batangas. She currently holds the position of Administrative Support II under a Contract of Service arrangement.

Ms. Arabella A. Yazon on her duty in DEPED SDO Sto. Tomas City (Photo: Contributed/Official Documentation)

In her current role, Yazon performs vital administrative and healthcare support operations for the division. Her duties include the consolidation of nutritional status data for School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) beneficiaries, assisting division nurses with clinic operations for students and teachers, monitoring the timely submission of required documents from school coordinators, and following up on institutional deliverables between local schools and the SDO.

Aking to her successful placement, Yazon credited the systematic framework of the program for laying down the required professional foundation. She noted that through the joint efforts of PESO and DOLE in implementing the JobStart Program, she obtained the necessary knowledge required to handle work responsibilities efficiently. “Sa tulong ng PESO at DOLE sa pagkakaroon ng Jobstart Program, natulungan ako nito na magkaroon ng trabaho sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga kaalaman na kinakailangan para sa isang trabaho.” Yazon shared. 

To maintain these employment indicators, DOLE Batangas and its network of local government PESO units continue to roll out standardized JobStart cycles across the province. The department remains focused on implementing these evidence-based youth employment tracks to build a highly professionalized, competent, and structured workforce ready for immediate absorption into both public and private sectors. #