ECoP revives J.O.B.S. for informal workers

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP) plans to revive its Job Opportunities Building Skills (J.O.B.S.) program this year with a focus on integrating informal sector workers.

At a ceremony marking ECoP's 50th anniversary, President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. said the initiative was suspended due to changes in administration but has been revived through collaboration with industry groups and government bodies.

The goal is to create enough jobs to accommodate informal sector workers who are often overlooked by companies that prefer hiring experienced or higher-educated individuals.

ECoP will also launch an online job fair platform called Employment Connect Opportunities, working closely with both private institutions and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as well as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The revived J.O.B.S. program aims to address the challenge faced by K-12 graduates who struggle to find employment.

ECoP is also working on matching informal workers with companies willing to hire them, aiming to help these workers gain formal employment.