DOLE inks partnership with GADC for JobStart Philippines

On 13 October 2023, the DOLE, through the Bureau of Local Employment, held a ceremonial signing event for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) forged between the Department and Golden Arches Development Corporation for the implementation of the JobStart Philippines Program (JSP). The event was held at the United Nations Avenue branch of McDonald’s Philippines.

Under the recently developed Philippine Labor and Employment Plan (PLEP), JSP is one of the priority youth employability programs to be implemented by the DOLE.

Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma opened the program by acknowledging the presence of GADC president and CEO Kenneth S. Yang, Human Capital Group Vice President Ruben R. Marasigan, and Human Capital Group Director Marites J. Domingo. The Labor Secretary emphasized that partnership lies at the core of JSP, and that the budding relationship between the DOLE and the aforementioned company is of great benefit to the food service sector. Secretary Laguesma ended his speech by vowing to produce diligent and competitive workers that would serve the partner employers and the nation as a whole with loyalty and excellence.

The program then proceeded to the much-awaited signing of the MOUs. GADC President Yang closed the program with a speech highlighting the importance of protecting the employees of a company so they, in turn, protect the business as well. He ended his message with a statement about the partner employers’ crucial roles in our youth’s entrance to the labor force through the world-class training provided by JSP.

The partnership is just among the initiatives of the Department to improve the delivery of youth employment facilitation to young Filipinos who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Geared toward contributing to the current administration’s key employment generators, this continuing partnership with the Golden Arches Development Corporation brings forth more efficient mechanisms in bridging labor and its youth market, the growing economy, and the evolving needs of the Filipino people.

McDonald’s Philippines is also an active partner of DOLE’s Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), where former underprivileged students and out-of-school youth are now employed in its various branches as managers, support staff, and service crew members.

END