Job fairs help solicit 1.34 million jobs in 2008 - DOLE

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) debunked criticisms that its conduct of job fairs is just a plain show or gimmick, saying that it, in fact, solicited a total of 1.34 million job vacancies from January to November last year.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said the conduct of job fair is not a government show stressing the fairs are crucial measures in helping employers find appropriate skills they need, at the same time, facilitating the placement of workers in need of jobs. Roque said job fairs are useful as indicated by employers who participate in the fairs to post their vacancies and interview jobseekers every year.

He said a total of 1,032 job fairs were conducted nationwide between January and November last year with the participation of hundreds of employers who posted more than a million vacancies in these fairs.

The Labor and Employment Secretary said, however, not all vacancies gathered in job fairs are filled up immediately on the spot as participating employers usually take time in selecting the most qualified applicants.

“Selection may start with an initial interview of applicants as the fair is going on,” he said, adding that the recruitment of selected applicants who troop job fairs usually takes place at the company level where management makes the final choice out of initial interviews and resumes of jobseekers it had gathered during a job fair.

Job fairs serve as venue where employers can find appropriate skills that’s why many of them participate in such fairs on a regular basis, Roque said adding job fair also forms part of its strategies in combating the impact of the global economic crisis on the workers.
Roque also noted the perennial problem on skills mismatch saying that many jobseekers who had gone to job fairs do not possess the skills and qualifications required by the participating employers.

In view of this, he said job fairs conducted are normally complemented with livelihood and skills training assistance services to provide workers with alternatives to employment.
Aside from employers and recruitment agencies offering job vacancies, the job fair also offers services whereby workers are given opportunities to embark on livelihood projects or to undergo skills training and upgrading to enable them meet the skills requirements of industry, Roque said.