The City Government of Naga, through its Metro Naga Public Employment Service Office (PESO), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), has restaged the JobStart program.

The program is designed to equip young, unemployed individuals with essential skills and provide them with gainful job opportunities.

The 10-day training, which began on September 24 this year and has 10 beneficiaries, is the second iteration of the program, following the first one in 2022.

The training is divided into three phases: a 10-day Soft Core Skills Training (SCST), a two-month technical training provided by DOLE at McDonald’s, and an internship supervised by the fast-food chain, which is a partner employer in the program.

The training aims to equip participants with life skills and industry-specific knowledge to prepare them for the workplace. It is specifically designed for individuals aged 18 to 24 who are not currently studying or employed and have little to no work experience.

Throughout the training, participants will receive a daily allowance of P400, along with a P150 cellphone load allowance to help cover their basic expenses.

The technical training phase will be conducted at McDonald’s, where trainees will gain hands-on experience under the supervision of the company’s staff. Upon completion of the internship, those who meet the expectations of the partner employer will be considered for full-time employment. Each intern will receive a stipend equal to 75% of the minimum wage rate in the province.

To qualify for the program, applicants must be Naga City residents, aged 18 to 24, and must meet the educational and work experience criteria, which include being at least a high school graduate and having no more than one year of work experience.

Required documents for registration include a filled-out National Skills Registration Program form, an updated resume, a recent 1×1 photo, a birth certificate, a diploma, and a voter’s certification, among other requirements.

The JobStart program not only aims to provide youth with practical skills but also offers a direct pathway to employment, with McDonald’s offering to hire trainees who successfully complete the program and meet the company’s standards.