Dumaguete: More than 1,000 job seekers from across Negros Island flocked to Robinsons Mall here on Tuesday for the World Caf© of Opportunities job fair, significantly exceeding organizers' expected turnout.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ma. Socorro Mira, manager of the city's Public Employment Service Office, stated that the number of job seekers who lined up for interviews surpassed the expected figure of 300. "We have 1,200 local and overseas vacancies available," Mira said in an interview, adding that the resum©s of those who could not be interviewed before the cutoff would be collected for possible placement or consideration at the next job fair. The interview cutoff was extended from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. to accommodate the large number of applicants present at the mall.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Negros Oriental Provincial Director Fletcher Gumahad highlighted that many of the applicants were graduates of technical-vocational courses and possessed National Certificates (NCs), which verify competency in specific trades and technical skills. He emphasized that an NC could enhance an applicant's chances of securing jobs suited to their skills.
Among those hired on the spot were Aaron John Rodriguez and Nelson Luca±as, both 32, who secured product sorter positions at a company in Saudi Arabia. Rodriguez, an automotive graduate, expressed gratitude to the government for facilitating access to employment opportunities in rural areas, despite the position not aligning with his course. Luca±as, a high school graduate, appreciated the job fair's inclusivity in offering opportunities regardless of educational qualifications.
Gumahad noted that the event coincided with National Tech-Voc Day and TESDA's 23rd anniversary, urging the public to explore TESDA's courses, including programs leading to baccalaureate degrees and qualifications for NC I and NC II. Government agencies, such as the Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Migrant Workers, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp., also provided services to job seekers, enhancing the comprehensive support available.
TESDA facilitated applicants' registration for the Skills Passport, an innovative mobile application launched in February that enables users to manage certifications, access scholarship opportunities, and find job matches, further empowering job seekers in their employment journey.
