Trabaho Center in Schools Act

Potter of t TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 JUL 21 A10:30 SENATE RECEIVLU S. No. 725 Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT ESTABLISHING JOB PLACEMENT OFFICES IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CAREER SERVICES TO THE YOUTH, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013's (K-12 program) specialized academic tracks prepare senior high school students for either post-secondary education, or direct employment. This bill establishes the Trabaho Center, which are essential conduits to those who choose to immediately enter the work force. Trabaho Centers are essential for effectively connecting senior high school graduates with employment opportunities. Said centers will provide the following: (a) employment facilitation by maintaining updated databases of local and overseas job vacancies and forging crucial job linkages with employers; (2) capacity building by offering career enhancement trainings and seminars to improve their employability; and (3) career advocacy and coaching by guiding students in career track selection, and values development. By actively facilitating employment, building skills and providing career guidance, Trabaho Centers will maximize the potential of senior high school students, directly supporting them as they transition into being productive members of our society.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN Senaton

ture of it TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 21 A10:30 SENATE RECEIVE S. No. 725 Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT ESTABLISHING JOB PLACEMENT OFFICES IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CAREER SERVICES TO THE YOUTH, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Trabaho Center in

2 Schools Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is the policy of the State to promote full

4 employment and equality of employment opportunities for all, and to afford full protection to the youth entering the labor force. In line with the current reforms in 6 the education sector, the State recognizes the need to prepare the youth in choosing 7 the career tracks that they intend to pursue and to aid in matching senior high school students with career opportunities after graduation.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following terms

shall refer to: a) Career Advocacy Activities refer to a series of activities intended to prepare students for productive career decisions that include but is not limited to career assessment and coaching, trainings and job-matching; b) Career Development Plan refers to an annual career development tool that outlines the intended outcomes and strategic management of

programs/services to collectively achieve the end goals of the Trabaho Centers, c) Labor Market Information (LMI) refers to any information concerning the size, composition, functions, problems or opportunities of the labor market or any part thereof, including but not limited to employment-related intentions or aspirations of the labor market clients; d) National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) refers to a system of assessing or evaluating the potential or aptitude of each and every high school student to guide their decisions in pursuing further education or employment; e) Skills Registry System (SRS) refers to an existing system utilized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) containing potential applicant and employment information.

Sec. 4. Establishment of Trabaho Centers in Schools. - Job Placement Offices

(JPOs), hereinafter referred to as "Trabaho Centers," shall be established in all public high schools. Trabaho Centers shall work in coordination with the Provincial, City, or 18 Municipal Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) and shall be supervised by the 19 Trabaho Center Coordinators in Department of Education (DepEd) Division Offices. 20 The Trabaho Center coordinators shall encourage partnerships among Educational 21 Institutions (El), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Industry Associations and 22 Members, and Local Government Units (LGUs) in the establishment and management 23 of the Trabaho Centers. In applicable areas, existing JPOs in educational institutions shall continue to operate as Trabaho Centers subject to the provisions of this Act, including partnering with the private sector or NGOs for an online platform. The Trabaho Centers shall be 27 responsible for preparing the youth in choosing career tracks fit for their talents, skills and preferences and in matching these to the needs of the current and future labor market.

Sec. 5. Trabaho Center Career Advocates. - All Trabaho Centers shall have at

31 least one (1) Trabaho Center Career Advocate with the following functions:

a) Keep an up-to-date database of job vacancies from employers to facilitate the exchange of labor market information between young job seekers and employers by providing employment information services specific to Senior High School, both for local and overseas employment; b) Provide job linkages and networks to employers in coordination with the provincial, city or municipal PESOs; c) Develop and administer testing and evaluation instruments for effective job selection, training and coaching specific to young jobseekers currently enrolled in educational institutions. Provided, That examinations are administered by qualified professionals; d) Organize or coordinate career enhancement trainings or seminars for young job seekers, as well as those who would like to pursue further education, livelihood or self- employment programs; e) Provide career advocacy and coaching, mass motivation and values development activities integrated in career programs specifically designed for Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum students; f) Connect and partner with concerned NGOs to expand opportunities in improving the quality of employment facilitation programs offered in their school; g) Lead the teachers within their school in the administration of the annual National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) and assist the students in understanding how to use their test results as guide in choosing their career tracks; h) Prepare and submit to the Trabaho Center Coordinator a school specific annual career development plan and budget, including other regular funding sources and budgetary support; and i) Prepare and submit a quarterly progress report on students assisted and coached to the Trabaho Center Coordinator.

Sec. 6. Trabaho Center in Division Offices. - Each DepEd Division Office shall

appoint a Trabaho Center Coordinator who shall: a) Coordinate with the LGU, PESO, the Local School Board (LSB), and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in the creation of the annual key career planning

tool for their division, taking into consideration track preferences of students in their respective divisions and the industry most relevant to their area; b) Monitor the planning, implementation and evaluation of career facilitation programs and materials of Trabaho Centers in Schools; C) Convene Career Advocates from the different Trabaho Centers under their respective divisions for the creation of modules or guides contextualized to cover their local industry; d) Share best practices among divisions and other Trabaho Centers in the country in a modality that would be most efficient to the institution; e) Train Career Advocates in the administration of testing and evaluation instruments for effective job selection, counseling, career guidance, mass motivation and values development activities to be implemented for the career programs; f) Utilize the DOLE'S Skills Registry System (SRS) to manage the records of transactions in relation to career facilitation and relay information to Trabaho Centers in Schools; g) Consolidate necessary information technology structures and systems to improve the collection, processing, analysis, report development and dissemination of youth career preferences and existing labor market information; and h) Provide linkages to training providers needed by the schools in relation to local industry.

Sec. 7. Qualifications of Trabaho Center Career Advocates. - Notwithstanding

the provisions of Section 27 of Republic Act No. 9258, otherwise known as the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004", career and employment advocates, who are not registered and licensed guidance counselors, shall be allowed to conduct career advocacy activities for students of the school where they are currently employed: Provided, That they undergo training programs related to career advocacy. Career advocates employed shall hold a non-teaching position and shall focus on activities for youth employability programs in coordination with the DOLE and other 31 relevant agencies and partner institutions, both public and private.

Sec. 8. Higher Education Institutions (HEls) and Technical Vocational

2 Institutions (TVIS). - Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational 3 Institutions (TVIs) are encouraged to establish Trabaho Centers in their schools to 4 prepare their students in choosing career tracks fit for their talents, skills and preferences and in matching these to the needs of the current and future labor market, in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 9. Information Dissemination. - The Philippine Information Agency, in

8 coordination with the Deped, DOLE and the DILG, shall ensure proper and adequate 9 information dissemination of the contents and benefits of this Act to pertinent entities 10 in all provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays.

Sec. 10. Appropriations. -The amount necessary to implement the provisions

12 of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DepEd. 13 Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be 14 included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

16 the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in coordination with Department of Labor and 17 Employment (DOLE), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), 18 Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTT) 19 and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other relevant agencies shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or

23 unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of other provisions hereof.

Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive order, and rules and

26 regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date

of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved