JobStart Philippines program expands to Baguio City, La Trinidad

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (2nd from left), DOLE-CAR Regional Director Imelda E. Romanillos (3rd from left), and Foundever leaders seal the partnership during the memorandum of agreement signing for JobStart Baguio. The program’s technical training officially kicked off on June 23, 2025.

MANILA, Philippines — Foundever, which is in the business of customer experience solutions, has teamed up with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to strengthen and develop youth employability in Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet.

Formalized through a memorandum of agreement, the partnership falls under DOLE’s nationwide JobStart Philippines program. The program is aimed at enhancing young Filipinos’ employability. This is done through career coaching, life skills training, technical upskilling and internship placements with partner employers. 

Done in alignment with the Philippines’ goal of inclusive economic growth, the program resumed in 2022. Foundever emerged as a key partner in bridging the gap between education and employment.

“This collaboration marks a significant step in our commitment to opening up better career opportunities for the local community,” said Jephte Moneda, director for recruitment marketing and sourcing at Foundever. 

“Through JobStart, we’re not just filling jobs—we’re empowering the next generation of Filipino talent with marketable skills and the confidence to thrive in whatever work setting they’re in,” Moneda said in a statement.

Most trainees have been hired

The JobStart program in Baguio and Foundever have so far trained 56 youth. The company hired 44 among the trainees. 

Meanwhile, La Trinidad’s newly launched JobStart program has begun life skills training, with technical training and internship placements to follow. The JobStart program in La Trinidad will endorse trainees for internships upon completion of their life skills training.

In Metro Manila, JobStart Caloocan — which was implemented in 2024— and Foundever had 12 program graduates. Among them, seven were hired.

Further, There are plans to expand the JobStart program to Pasig City in 2025.

/rwd