By Leilanie Adriano/PNA
LAOAG CITY — The Ilocos Norte Public Employment Service Office (PESO) on Wednesday reported that 45.3 percent of those looking for work during job fairs in the province were hired on-the-spot last year.
Anne Marie Lizette Bitancor-Atuan, PESO head, said a total of 1,178 job applicants out of the total 2,600 were employed instantly after the interview, during at least five job-matching activities the Office organized with various public and private employers.
In 2017, only 256 applicants out of 1,090, or 23.49 percent, were hired immediately during job fairs.
Atuan attributed the increase to the improvement of the education curriculum, or the implementation of the K-12 (Kindergarten to Grade 12) program, and the regular conduct of public career counseling among senior high school students.
“There was an increase in job hires in 2018 because many wanted to work after finishing senior high school. We have job openings for undergraduate and senior high school students. We have helped them through career counseling,” she said in an interview.
The PESO initiated the career counseling programs in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the different secondary schools around the province.
A total of 26,794 students and job aspirants underwent career counseling in 2017.
Atuan said the program may have contributed to the increase in employment the following year.
During the conduct of career counseling, facilitators discuss the top-paying jobs locally and nationwide.
Participants are then instructed regarding proper applications procedures and etiquette, including the preparation of resume and cover letter-writing, how to present themselves to a prospective employer, and how to handle interview questions.
“We also shared tips and advice on how to jumpstart a successful career,” Atuan added.
For Jezreel Jan Bagcal of Laoag City, he said attending career counseling is essential for him to be more enlightened on the current employment trends and how he would be able to get that dream job someday.
“I am thankful they give us the opportunity to attend career counseling, which helps us decide and maximize our potentials,” he said.
In support of the Ilocos Norte government’s thrust to provide good and well-paying jobs for the Ilocanos, the PESO also continues to implement the “Task Force Trabaho” program this year to provide more options for students and young professionals to work at home or overseas.
