DOLE Bicol optimistic 40% of 2012 grads will get jobs

By: Marlon M. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, May 28 (PIA) – At least 40 percent of the more than 26,000 graduates of the recently concluded school year will have jobs within the year, while the remaining 60 percent of these graduates may be placed in the succeeding two years or so.

This, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here, is a conservative projection of the job placement and employment trend that may be seen in the region for the next 3-years.

DOLE V regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra said that the employment plight, of what is said to be Bicol labor’s ‘fresh meat’, will rely mostly on the ability of the region’s local job market in absorbing the graduates and the open mindedness of the graduates in overseas work.

The number of graduates of school year 2011-2012 was based on the records of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). DOLE V meanwhile has utilized the CHED data in determining  or devising strategies in responding to address the unemployment trend brought about by the influx of newly grads.

 “If the current economic situation in the region) continues to rise steadily in the areas of construction, tourism and services industry, then we can say that the region is actually ready to absorb at least 30 percent of the graduates. From there we can strategize on how to place the remaining bulk” Lacambra added.

In the management conference of DOLE’ regional and provincial officials as well as employment focal persons early this month, Lacambra directed all the agency’s attached bureau to have a close coordination with CHED, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), city and municipal business licensing divisions and the Department of Tourism (DOT)  benchmarking the graduates’ courses, skills competency and possible vacancies available region wide.

The data gathering strategy will provide DOLE V a perspective of the employment needs and trends of the region thereby creating room for a more direct response on how to place new and future graduates.

Raymond Cadis-Velasco, 19-yrs. old, a native of Aroroy, Masbate, 4th year management student of Bicol University, and who trained DOLE regional office here, is having mixed-emotions specially when it comes to landing a job after graduation next year.

Nauugma tapos nag-aalala.  Pero gare ok man ta nailing ko man ang iro kan DOLE uru-aldaw lalo na kung pano mapanuan ang mga warang trabaho. (I’m quite excited but anxious. But it’s ok since I can see that the DOLE is doing its best to address the unemployment problem) Velasco said.

DOLE V assistant regional director Exequiel Ronnie A. Guzman meanwhile said that the measures are paramount to carefully analyze the job vacancies solicited during jobs fair.

“One can note that the number of vacancies far exceeds the number of applicants, adding that during the Labor Day Mega Jobs fair alone the vacancies solicited jacks up to 6,560 while the officially registered applicants were only about 3,550,” he noted.

“We have jobs available. Although here, Bicolanos have close family ties wherein mostly they would want to work near home. The main reason why we are working closely with other government agencies to improve the business and economic situation of the region.  If more businesses and investors come to Bicol then surely there will be more employment opportunities.” Guzman added.

DOLE V remains optimistic of the employment state in the region noting that about 20 percent of the new graduates were already serviced by the office through the conduct of the two major jobs fair the Magayon jobs Fair in Legazpi City and the Labor Day mega Jobs Fair in Naga City.  (MAL-PIA V/Albay)