200,000 jobs open for school preps

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) will provide at least 200,000 employment opportunities nationwide beginning June 1, in support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) nationwide school maintenance program, Brigada Eskwela.

In a DoLE news release on Sunday, Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino said in a radio interview that workers under its assistance program for displaced workers would be deployed to schools in their respective localities to help clean and repair classrooms and prepare learning facilities ahead of the opening of classes.

He said the employment program would run from June until the start of the school year and may continue while classes are ongoing.

Mr. Tolentino added that DoLE regional directors and assistant regional directors would oversee the nationwide implementation of the program in coordination with the DepEd.

Separately, he said DoLE is coordinating with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to explore providing technical-vocational graduates with start-up capital support and starter kits through the agency’s livelihood and emergency employment programs.

He said the proposal aims to help trainees establish small businesses after completing their courses. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking