ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--Celebrating the 29th anniversary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the World Cafe of Opportunities event held in Robinsons Place, Iligan, spurred the immediate recruitment of ten job applicants by prominent companies.
The job fair garnered the participation of 506 job applicants, of whom 10 were fortunate enough to secure immediate employment offers.
The initiative, a collaboration between the City Government of Iligan's Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Office, aimed to bridge the gap between job seekers and employers.
Additionally, the Department of Migrant Workers-10, Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Security System, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Iligan also provided assistance to the job seekers.
A total of 11 local companies offered 671 job opportunities, while four overseas agencies brought forth 2,189 job opportunities for aspiring overseas workers.
Norayah Acas, provincial director of TESDA Lanao del Norte, highlighted the significance of connecting TESDA graduates and local job seekers to potential employers.
"Usa ni ka job linking program sa TESDA para ang graduates sa TESDA ug uban pod nga taga-Iligan ug Lanao del Norte makajoin niini nga job fair [This job linking program by TESDA aims to connect our graduates and other job seekers from Iligan and Lanao del Norte to this job fair]," she said.
Meanwhile, Lawyer Safrali S. Cabili, provincial director of DOLE Lanao del Norte, explained the vital role of DOLE as a partner to TESDA, aligning efforts to provide equal employment opportunities based on the training TESDA imparts. According to him, the job fair underscored the agencies' commitment to empowering job seekers and facilitating meaningful connections with employers.
Katherine Xyra Q. Anggara of the PESO in Iligan City said their partnership with the TESDA seeks to establish a seamless bridge between skilled graduates and industries in need of their expertise.
Moreover, Charmaine Obenza, a successful candidate who secured employment with HLM Pharmaceuticals and Manulife, expressed her gratitude for the on-the-spot hiring process.
As a fresh graduate with a degree in BS Tourism Management from Iligan Computer Institute, she expressed her appreciation for the efficient recruitment process and the valuable support extended to job seekers.
"Dako kaayo siya'g tabang sa job seeker, especially sa amoa nga fresh graduate. Makatabang gyud ni kay naa na tanang establishment, dali na. Dili na kailangan muadto pa ug company jud nga isa-isa [It's very helpful for job seekers, especially for us fresh graduates. This really helps us because all the establishments are here; it's easy. There's no need to individually visit each company]," she said.
Some of the companies offering jobs during the job fair were Rural Transit Mindanao Inc., HLM Pharmaceuticals, Pru Life UK, Jenerick International Manpower, Inc., and more. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
