By Liza Soriano

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to expand its network of guidance counselors and career advocates to strengthen their career, vocational, and employment counseling services for job seekers.

Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Patrick Patriwirawan Jr. announced that the Department aims to address the barriers faced by job seekers wherever they are, through the Career Development Support Program (CDSP).

CDSP aims to assist individuals in finding suitable employment through career counseling, identifying appropriate upskilling or reskilling interventions through vocational counseling, and promoting the chosen career path through employment counseling.

In order to immediately implement such an initiative, Patriwirawan gave an orientation to the CDSP to the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) managers in local governments, career guidance advocates, as well as DOLE officials and staff in the regions.

He also emphasized the importance of the program to meet the challenges and opportunities facing the “future of work” which is characterized by disruption, digital transformation, and hybrid work.

Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), PESO Managers Association of the Philippines (PMAP), and Federation of Career Guidance Advocates Network of the Philippines were the groups who are helping DOLE for the implementation of the program.

(AI/MNM)