Bridge education and employment.
The program is designed to help beneficiaries earn income for education-related needs while gaining meaningful workplace exposure.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENTSpecial Program for Employment of Students
Work experience today. Education and opportunity tomorrow.
The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) helps qualified students and out-of-school youth gain temporary work experience and income while continuing or preparing to continue their education.
15–30 years old
20–78 working days*
PESO is your first stop
Education supportTemporary employment helps augment family income.
Work exposureGain practical workplace experience and discipline.
Local accessApplications are facilitated through PESOs and DOLE offices.
Protected engagementProgram rules cover pay, duration and insurance.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
What is SPES?
SPES is an employment-bridging program of the Department of Labor and Employment for poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth, and qualified dependents of displaced or would-be displaced workers who intend to pursue their education.
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This page is a client guide. Final qualification, documentary requirements, schedules and available slots are determined by the implementing PESO/DOLE office under current rules.
Flexible implementation
Secondary students are generally engaged during summer and/or Christmas vacation, while qualified tertiary, technical-vocational and OSY beneficiaries may be engaged at other times of the year.
Near your community
Participating government offices, local government units and private employers may provide placements coordinated through PESO and DOLE.
WHO MAY QUALIFY
Start with these basic eligibility checks.
Meeting the basic conditions allows your application to be evaluated; it does not by itself guarantee a SPES slot.
Age requirement
Applicant is at least 15 years old but not more than 30 years old at the time of application.
Education status
Students intending to continue their education, qualified out-of-school youth, and certain dependents of displaced workers may be covered.
Passing grades
Student applicants should have obtained a passing general weighted average or equivalent in the last school year or term attended.
Income threshold
The combined net income after tax of the parents, including the applicant's own income if any, must not exceed the applicable regional poverty threshold.
OSY certification
Out-of-school youth applicants may be required to present certification from the local Social Welfare and Development Office.
Not sure if you qualify?
Bring your available records to your local PESO. They can verify the current requirements and guide you before formal submission.
Where to inquire →
CLIENT CHECKLIST
Information and documents to prepare.
Prepare clear and readable copies. Your local PESO may request additional documents depending on your applicant category and current implementation guidelines.
TIP
Keep one complete personal copy.
Bring originals when requested for verification, but submit only the copies or forms required by your implementing office.
Proof of identity and age
Birth certificate, government-issued ID, or another official document accepted by the implementing office showing your date of birth/age.
School or education record
Enrollment/registration record and proof of passing grades, such as a registrar certification, report card, class card, Form 138 or equivalent accepted record.
Income or economic-status document
Current income tax return or another certification/document accepted by the PESO to establish that the household meets the applicable income threshold.
OSY / displacement supporting record, when applicable
OSY certification from the local SWDO and/or relevant supporting proof if applying as a dependent of a displaced or would-be displaced worker.
Current contact and personal information
Complete name, birth date, residential address, mobile number, email address, school/course or grade level, parent/guardian information and emergency contact.
SPES application and local forms
Accomplish the official SPES application form and any additional consent, undertaking or local intake form issued by your PESO/DOLE office.
20 to 78 working days
Under the amended SPES law, the normal engagement period may range from 20 to 78 working days. During Christmas vacation, the period is generally 10 to 15 days.
*Actual engagement length depends on the approved implementation and available placement.
Employer + DOLE
As a general rule, the employer pays 60% of the applicable wage or hiring rate and DOLE shoulders the remaining 40%, subject to special rules for qualified low-income LGUs.
60%Employer share
40%DOLE share
Work experience with safeguards.
- Pay not lower than the applicable minimum wage or government hiring rate.
- Group personal accident insurance coverage under program rules.
- Related work may qualify for academic, practicum or OJT credit when recognized by the proper institution/agency.
HOW TO APPLY
Your SPES journey, step by step.
The exact workflow can vary by PESO, but applicants will generally go through these stages.
Register online
Submit your basic personal, contact and education information through the SPES applicant intake form.
PESO screening
Your selected PESO reviews the basic profile, eligibility and available program slots.
Verify requirements
Bring or present supporting records only when requested by the PESO. No document upload is required in this portal.
Qualify & place
Qualified applicants may be matched to an approved SPES establishment or government placement.
Work & payroll
Complete the approved work period, attendance and terminal payroll requirements with the employer/PESO.
DOLE share release
The DOLE share proceeds through verification, voucher and disbursement processing before release.
PERSONAL DATA TO HAVE READY
Save time by preparing these details before intake.
These are common data points needed to evaluate and process an application. The official form used by your PESO remains controlling.
Personal
Full legal nameDate of birth / ageSex and civil status, if askedComplete residential addressMobile number and email
Education
School nameGrade/year levelCourse/program, if applicableLast term attendedGWA / passing grade information
Household
Parent/guardian namesOccupation/employment statusHousehold income detailsDisplacement information, if applicableEmergency contact
Application
Applicant categoryOSY certification details, if applicablePreferred location/availabilityValid identification referencesConsent/signature requirements
FOR EMPLOYERS & CO-PARTNERS
Help young people build workplace experience.
Qualified public and private employers can coordinate with DOLE/PESO to participate in SPES, identify suitable work assignments, supervise beneficiaries and comply with program documentation and payment requirements.
Coordinate with DOLE/PESO01
Coordinate and pledgeConfirm program participation, available positions and approved number of beneficiaries.
02
Provide suitable workAssign safe and appropriate tasks, supervision, attendance monitoring and workplace orientation.
03
Pay employer shareComply with the applicable wage/hiring-rate rules and employer share under the SPES arrangement.
04
Complete reportsSubmit required employment contracts, placement, payroll, terminal and other implementation documents.
WHERE TO APPLY / INQUIRE
Start with the PESO that has jurisdiction over your residence.
For Cagayan Valley clients, your local PESO can coordinate with the appropriate DOLE Regional or Field Office.
DOLE Regional Office No. 02
Regional program coordination and technical oversight.
Cagayan Field Office
Field-level coordination for Cagayan area clients and PESOs.
Batanes Satellite Office
Local DOLE coordination for Batanes clients and partners.
Isabela Field Office
Field-level coordination for Isabela area clients and PESOs.
Nueva Vizcaya Field Office
Field-level coordination for Nueva Vizcaya clients and PESOs.
Quirino Field Office
Field-level coordination for Quirino clients and PESOs.
Applicant reminder
View official BLE SPES page ↗
Application schedules, document cutoffs and available slots may differ by city/municipality and implementing office.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common client questions.
If your situation is not covered below, your local PESO is the best place to confirm the current program rule.
Can I apply if I am not currently enrolled?
Qualified out-of-school youth may be covered, subject to the program's requirements, including the appropriate OSY certification and intent to pursue education.
Does submitting complete requirements guarantee employment?
No. Applications still undergo evaluation and placement depends on qualification, available program funds/slots, participating employers and the implementing office's schedule.
Where do I submit my application?
Applicants should generally apply through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) having jurisdiction over their residence, or follow the specific instructions announced by the relevant DOLE/PESO office.
How long can a SPES beneficiary work?
The amended law provides an employment period of 20 to 78 working days, except during Christmas vacation when the engagement is generally 10 to 15 days.
Who pays the SPES beneficiary?
As a general rule, the employer shoulders 60% of the applicable wage/hiring rate and DOLE shoulders 40%. Special sharing rules may apply to qualified low-income LGUs.
Is the account registration on this website for student applicants?
Applicants may now submit basic SPES information through the public Apply page. No supporting document upload is required in this portal; the selected PESO handles screening and verification. The separate System Account Registration is only for authorized PESO and DOLE focal users.
AUTHORIZED SYSTEM USERS
PESO and DOLE focal staff portal
Authorized users can sign in to the secure SPES Online workspace. New PESO, Field Office Focal and Regional Focal accounts require Administrator approval before access is activated.
Staff sign in →
Request system account
Applicant intake is available through “Apply for SPES.” System account registration remains for authorized staff only.