Over 9,000 jobseekers took advantage of the 8,310 employment opportunities offered in the three-day initial leg of the “Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso!” Philippine Tourism Job Fair in Pasay, Cebu, and Davao, the labor department reported on Tuesday.
Of this number, 407 applicants were assured of immediate employment, while 8,376 others were considered as near-hires, DOLE said, as it emphasized the need to bridge jobseekers with the human resource requirements of the recovering tourism industry.
DOLE likewise underscored the government’s efforts toward employment recovery, with the participation of 157 employers which brought with them 8,310 jobs.
DOLE said the series of job fairs which commenced this month will conclude in May 2023.
The Luzon leg of the tourism job fair was held in SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, where 71 participating employers offered 3,620 vacancies.
Of the 3,000 applicants who flocked to the venue, 45 were hired on the spot while 7,752 others were considered as near-hires or those who may be hired or placed depending on the outcome of their interview and compliance with the pre-employment requirements of the hiring company.
The DOLE-National Capital Region reported that among those who immediately found jobs were Mery Joy Lopez and Sharmane Hebrio, who were hired as Gaming Associates by Winford Manila Resort and Casino.
Lopez and Hebrio, who came all the way from San Pablo City, Laguna, are fresh graduates who earned their Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management at the Laguna State Polytechnic University.
Meanwhile, the Visayas leg of the job fair was held in SM City Cebu, where 2,114 vacancies were offered by 44 participating employers. Of the 4,000 applicants who visited the job fair site, 332 were immediately hired, while 182 others were considered near-hires.
Moreover, 2,576 vacancies were offered by 42 employers during the Mindanao leg of the tourism job fair held in Abreeza Mall Davao. Among the 1,000 applicants who flocked to the venue, 30 jobseekers were hired-on-the-spot and 442 others were considered as near-hires.
A total of 530 applicants were also referred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for further skills training.
Source: Department Of Labor and Employment Republic of Philippines