Dozens of young job seekers in Dagupan City are getting a head start in employment through government-backed training and summer job programs aimed at preparing them for the workforce.

Sixty-five applicants from the city recently completed a 10-day training under the JobStart Philippines Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Bureau of Local Employment.

Dagupan is one of only 40 local government units nationwide selected to implement the program after passing DOLE’s evaluation process.

Most of the trainees, 18 to 24 years old, had little to no work experience before joining the program. Participants also received daily allowances from DOLE throughout the training period.

“They are undergoing 30 modules para i-address yung personality, behavior, character to prepare to the world of work. Alam naman natin na sa mga company ngayon, importante ’yung attitude,” Dagupan City PESO Manager Joy Siapno said.

Among the trainees was tourism graduate Bridget Santiago who said the program helped improve her communication skills and boosted her confidence as she prepares to apply for work in the hospitality industry.

“How to actively participate. Mas naging confident ako na humarap sa industry ng tourism,” Santiago said.

Aside from JobStart, 50 students from Dagupan are also participating in the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), which provides temporary work opportunities for financially challenged youth.

“Mga financially challenged na families. ’Yun po ’yung mga beneficiaries… Magiging salary nila dito will surely help them next school year,” Siapno said.

Under the SPES program, students will work for 20 days and receive salaries jointly funded by the local government and DOLE, with 60 percent shouldered by the LGU and 40 percent by the labor department.

Incoming second-year college student Kytz Daizen Aquino said the program would help support both daily expenses and school needs.

“Natutulungan po ako nito sa pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan, and sa tuition ko po and sa projects na kailangan,” Aquino said.