DOLE to pursue 7-point strategy on youth employment

The Department of Labor and Employment will implement a seven-point strategy to help young people make the transition from education to work.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the strategy, dubbed “Alternative Pathways,” will bring together youth leaders, business, workers, and government partners.

The seven-point strategy are:

• Promote employment-rich opportunities;
• Realize responsive education, training, and career coaching modalities;
• Improve labor market information systems;
• Strengthen worker’s rights awareness and social protection initiatives;
• Harness migration gains and minimize its risks;
• Provide meaningful voice and representation venues; and
• Promote cultural and heritage appreciation

Baldoz first presented the framework during International Youth Day last August 12 at the SMC Convention Center at the Mall of Asia.

“We propose the seven-point strategy to be fleshed out and given substance in the National Action Plan on Youth Employment and Migration (YEM),” she said.

The YEM strategies take into consideration the youth’s perspective on economic and social inclusion; rights and social protection; and dialogue and diversity.

YEM strategies are aimed at:

• increasing the participation and improving access to employment opportunities;
• promoting worker’s rights awareness and providing responsive social protection; and
• providing avenues for presentation and inter-cultural dialogue.

Meanwhile, the DOLE proposed the creation of a network board to manage the implementation of the strategies.

It said the network body will have as members donor institutions, foundations, academic institutions, non-government organizations, and entities with a stake in the specific themes or issues of the framework.

The Chairman of the network board may be selected from among the primary government agencies with youth-oriented mandates . — LBG, GMA News