Special Program for Employment of Students or SPES is a proud program of McDonald's Philippines for Cebu Youth. It helps underpriviledged students or out of school youth to continue their study and at the same time work as McDonald's employee.

Present during the press conference were representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Jessica Uy and Atty. Jose B Ogang; McDonald’s Philippines Vice President for Human Capital Group Chona Torre and Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Fidel Magno. Each representative discussed the progress of SPES and its success rate in Cebu, key criteria for hiring and screening, and day-to-day training programs that SPES students undergo with McDonald’s. [source: Matudnila.com ]

Check out this Information from McDonald's Philippines:

McDonald’s Philippines continues SPES partnership for the youth with DOLE in Cebu

Cebu, PHILIPPINES – Dedicated to its goal of uplifting Filipino communities across the country, McDonald’s strengthens its continuing partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), establishing its progress and success in the employment of underprivileged students and out of school youth in Cebu.

McDonald’s Philippines and DOLE made their partnership official in March 2012, following Republic Act Nos. 7323 and 9547’s call to encourage students to pursue their education through employment. Subsequent to these laws is RA 8759, creating the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) to facilitate employment of the beneficiaries, located in capital towns of provinces, key cities, and other strategic locations.

“We at McDonald’s understand the need for programs like these – we want to help in providing a brighter future for the youth, especially for those who find it difficult to do so,” says Chona Torre, McDonald’s Philippines Vice President for Human Capital Group. “With SPES, McDonald’s Philippines and DOLE are bound by the common goal of giving the Filipino youth labor opportunities that enable them to fund their education and have a more positive tomorrow to look forward to.”

SPES enables employment for the students in partner private sectors, and McDonald’s Philippines has heeded the call by offering over 3,600 slots for students to be crew members across the country.

In Cebu, close to 100 students have undergone SPES in McDonald’s in 2012, twenty-two of which are now undergoing training to be regular employees of McDonald’s due to their excellent performance. Due to the success of the program in Cebu, McDonald’s is looking to hire over 300 grantees more this year to be done in three batches starting March to December.

“Each student will be with us for 52 days, earning the salary that can help support their education,” explains Torre. Part of the SPES beneficiaries’ responsibilities are maintaining the cleanliness of restaurant areas, proper preparation of beverages and desserts, and providing assistance to local store marketing team during events or McCelebrations held at McDonald’s restaurants.

Also present during the press conference were representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment and the Public Employment Service Office. Each representative took the floor to discuss the progress of SPES and its success rate in Cebu, key criteria for hiring and screening, and day-to-day training programs that SPES students undergo with McDonald’s.

“We are very happy with the program, especially because we have been given the opportunity to work with DOLE. This partnership is a key driver in enabling us to broaden our reach, and to expand our efforts to be able to provide more employment opportunities for the youth,” Torre concludes.

For more information, contact: Pia de Jesus, pia@eon.com.ph, 893 56 42 loc. 121.