In an exciting development, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has emphasised collaboration with the private sector to advance the government’s job generation agenda amid improving employment conditions. The recently launched Trabaho Para sa Bayan: Project J.O.B.S (Job Opportunities Building Skills) brought together the Private Sector Advisory Council, SM Supermalls, and JobStreet by Seek in a united effort. The project aimed to bridge the gap between employers and job seekers through on-site job fairs at SM Malls nationwide and free access to job postings through JobStreet by SEEK, resulting in an enhanced digital job matching experience.

Additionally, the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan entails coordinated efforts among government departments, agencies, and local government units to generate job opportunities and provide training for Filipinos. These jobs may be available for both skilled and unskilled workers in various government offices, projects, and initiatives, such as infrastructure development, healthcare programs, environmental cleaning and management, maintenance of government-owned infrastructure, reforestation, flood control, conservation projects, and the enhancement of national parks, forests, and historic sites, among others. By doing so, this program not only creates employment for millions of Filipinos but also plays a significant role in helping the country overcome the profound crisis brought about by the pandemic.

During the Commitment Signing in Pasay City, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma underscored the significance of collaborating in aligning the skills of the Filipino workforce with industry demands and providing employment opportunities and training programs. The private sector's efforts in connecting job seekers with employers were acknowledged, and further collaboration was urged to empower the labour force and reduce unemployment.

Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres, during a panel discussion, highlighted the crucial role of the Public Employment Service Offices in providing job search assistance and career counselling, leveraging digital platforms for job matching, and providing labour market information and career guidance to address job-skills mismatch. These efforts were in line with the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, marking a positive step toward improving workforce employability and expanding access to opportunities.