COTABATO CITY—Technical-vocational graduates joined Thursday, Aug. 25, the 3rd launching of World Café of Opportunities (WCO) in Bangsamoro region—a job fair activity held in this city.
In a simultaneous celebration of 28th National Tech-Voc Day, the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education – Technical Education and Skills Development of the (MBHTE-TESD) spearheaded the job fair’s launching.
Through the Job Linkaging and Networking Services (JoLinNS), the WCO served as the avenue for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) graduates/alumni to get employment opportunities both in wage and self-employment.
“This annual activity encourages the full participation of tech-voc graduates,” said Ruby Andong, regional director of MBHTE-TESD.
“As we face the new normal and almost three years of threat of the Covid-19, we are here today to commemorate the founding of TESD [Republic Act No. 7796], and will be offering jobs for our TVET graduates for the better future of the Bangsamoro,” she added.
The WCO and JoLinNS is a ‘one-stop shop’ where national government agencies, private companies, tech-voc and financing institutions collaborate to offer employment and training.
Lorenzo Doctolero, Notre Dame RVM College of Cotabato tech-voc coordinator, emphasized that one of their visions is to help the people of Bangsamoro improve the economy and become self-reliant with the support of MBHTE-TESD.
“Considering that this event is more on providing job opportunities, it is very essential, particularly to our TVET trainees and graduates, to provide a venue for them to look for employment not only within Cotabato City but also in the whole country, and maybe in other countries,” Doctolero said.
Cyna Dumagpi, 20, a resident of Parang, Maguindanao and TVET graduate, said she is hopeful to get a job after joining the fair.
“Malaki ang naitulong sa akin ng TESD, dahil sa skills at certificate na ibinigay ay nagkaroon ako ng trabaho habang nag-aaral. Maganda na mayroon kang NC II dahil madali kang makapasok sa trabaho,” said Dumagpi, who is also a 4th-year student from Notre Dame – RVM.
Businesses and employers from construction and agriculture sectors as well as tourism-related establishments in this city were also invited in the job fair.
They offer jobs such as cashiers, baggers, technical staff, customer assistants, management trainees, cadet engineers, electricians, technicians, forklift drivers, information technology staff, salespeople, warehouse workers, and truck drivers.
Jacquelen Dala, branch manager of Superama establishment, expressed her gratitude and pointed out the essence of the event, particularly to TVET graduates.
“Napakalaki po ng advantage nito sa amin dahil hindi na kami mahihirapang maghanap ng mga trabahante. Ang mga TVET graduates kasi ay may skills na, which is hindi na kami mahihirapan na e-train pa sila,” said Dala.
This year’s WCO carried the theme: “Continuing the Capacity Building Program for WCO Key Actors: The Virtual Challenge”. The job fair will run until today, Aug. 26. (Johaira Sahidala/BIO)
