The renewal of the partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will allow the fast-food chain to continue providing employment for students in the country.

It has been 12 years since fast food chain McDonald’s first partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to provide employment for working students and even out-of-school youth. Since the partnership began, more than 16,000 underprivileged youth have been able to finish their education while gaining work experience at the same time.

This beneficial partnership will continue, as both McDonald’s and DOLE have renewed their partnership and their commitment to continue the implementation of the special program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

In fact, just last month, the fast food chain committed to hiring over 20,000 more employees. This is due to the fact that the company is planning to open more branches across the country.

“As we open more McDonald’s stores across the country, we see to it that as our business grows, so does our positive impact in the communities we are present in,” says McDonald’s Philippines Managing Director Margot Torres. 

SPES Goal for 2023

For this year, McDonald’s and DOLE’s goal is to have 1,441 beneficiaries for its SPES program—which was formally renewed last July 14, 2023. 

“We continue to partner with government institutions like DOLE to help us offer quality employment for Filipinos who will not only receive an opportunity to earn but also gain life-long skills from the world-class training we offer,” Torres adds. 

Aside from working students and out-of-school youth, SPES also provides employment opportunities for dependents of displaced workers. 

How This Partnership is Beneficial for Job Seekers

While the unemployment rate in the country dropped to 4.3% in May, there are still Filipinos who struggle to find employment or to change careers for a variety of reasons. This is particularly true for working students and out-of-school youth, who usually do not have the right credentials and work experience to land employment.

Programs such as McDonald’s and DOLE’s SPES allow job seekers a chance at employment that they otherwise may struggle to find elsewhere. For working students, in particular, this allows them to gain experience and likewise earn money to provide for their families and further their education.

Moreover, it serves as a chance for out-of-school youth to improve their lives and have the capacity to earn for their families while also gaining work experience. This can be used to further their careers in the future.