University of Luzon Forges Partnership with JobStart Philippines for Enhanced Youth Employment

The University of Luzon (UL) has officially partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) JobStart Philippines program, marking a significant step towards bolstering youth employability and fostering a seamless transition from education to the workforce for Luzonians. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was formally signed on June 16, 2025, at the Emerald Hall, Jimmy L. Fernandez Center, CSI Stadia, Lucao, Dagupan City, during a joint graduation ceremony for JobStart beneficiaries, a mini job fair, and the MOA signing event.

Dr. Dolor Bustillo, Human Resource Officer of the University of Luzon, represented the university in the signing ceremony, underscoring UL’s commitment to creating impactful opportunities for its students and the broader youth community. The event was graced by the presence of Mayor Belen Fernandez, a staunch advocate for youth development and employment in Dagupan City.

The JobStart Philippines program, an initiative of DOLE, aims to shorten the school-to-work transition of young Filipinos by equipping them with essential life skills, technical training, and practical work experience through internships. This comprehensive approach is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills acquired in formal education, making JobStart beneficiaries more responsive to the evolving demands of the labor market.

Through this partnership, the University of Luzon will actively collaborate with JobStart in facilitating career guidance, employment coaching, and the dissemination of crucial labor market information to its students. This synergy is anticipated to provide Luzonians with a significant advantage as they embark on their professional journeys, ensuring they are well-prepared and competitively skilled for available opportunities.

This collaboration contributes significantly to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Primarily, it supports SDG 4: Quality Education by enhancing the relevance of education to labor market needs and providing practical skills development. It also directly addresses SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, particularly focusing on youth employment and reducing the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training. Furthermore, by fostering partnerships between academic institutions and government programs to empower youth, it indirectly contributes to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.