Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) has teamed up with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to launch the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES). This initiative will offer short-term job opportunities in the quick-service restaurant sector to 900 underprivileged students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of displaced workers in the Philippines.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma oversaw the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the DOLE office in Intramuros, Manila. Under this agreement, DOLE will manage the overall execution of SPES, while Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) will handle the processing and assessment of applicants referred by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) for the final selection and engagement of eligible SPES beneficiaries.
Secretary Laguesma underscored the significance of SPES in equipping young Filipinos with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the workforce, “When we invest in our youth, especially those from marginalized sectors, we provide them with the tools and the support they need to reach their full potential. Through the training and internships your company offers, beneficiaries gain hands-on experience in real-world environments, industry-specific skills, professional development, and mentorship”.
“This collaborative effort carries immense promise for both the Filipino people and the national economy. I wish to reiterate my heartfelt gratitude to JFC for joining us on this path towards progress. By working together, we can create a brighter future full of opportunities for our young generation, where businesses flourish alongside a capable and driven workforce. We firmly believe this partnership will empower countless young Filipinos to excel”, Secretary Laguesma added.
JFC has a long-standing partnership with DOLE for the SPES program. Since 2015, more than 800 young people have been employed in the company’s commissaries and stores, including brands like Chowking, Greenwich, and Red Ribbon. With its renewed commitment to SPES in 2024, JFC will now offer short-term jobs to an additional 900 qualified students and out-of-school youth across its participating brands and stores throughout the Philippines.
"As your partner from the business sector, JFC is and will continue to support the government’s initiatives to decrease unemployment, manage underemployment due to job mismatch, and ensure youth employability by providing work opportunities that are honorable, meaningful, sustainable, and inclusive”, said Ruth Angeles, Chief Human Resources Officer of JFC Philippines and Global Head for Organization, Leadership, and Culture of the Jollibee Group.
Angeles highlighted that JFC’s collaboration with DOLE on SPES aligns with the company’s employer value proposition (EVP) and branding initiative, “Choose Joy.” This EVP reflects JFC’s dedication to offering joyful work experiences through meaningful careers, an inclusive work environment, and the chance to contribute to the company’s mission of serving delicious food and spreading the joy of eating to all.
