Ilocos Region: Four hundred twenty-five unemployed out-of-school youths in the Ilocos Region are benefitting from the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) JobStart Philippines Program, which offers skills training, internship, and employment opportunities.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOLE Ilocos information officer Jenny Mapile stated that the beneficiaries include 255 from Pangasinan, and 85 each from Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. JobStart, open to Filipino citizens aged 18 to 24 at the time of registration, is available for those who have reached at least high school level education and are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) at the time of registration. The program is offered in Public Employment Services Offices (PESO) in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Calasiao and Dagupan City in Pangasinan.

DOLE Ilocos Region chief labor and employment officer Teresa Bonavente mentioned that while Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur are still in the recruitment phase, Calasiao PESO is about to start training, and Dagupan City has an ongoing training. Each of the four PESO sites caters to 85 beneficiaries this year.

JobStart Philippines provides youth with career coaching, life skills and technical trainings, and internships with employers. Bonavente explained that the qualified beneficiaries will undergo a 10-day training during which they will receive PHP400 per day. After the training, participants will attend a graduation and mini jobs fair, followed by an internship program with employers.

JobStart, institutionalized under Republic Act 10869, supports youth employability alongside DOLE's Government Internship Program and Special Program for Employment of Students.