High school grads in W. Visayas have higher employment rate

ILOILO CITY - High school graduates in Western Visayas region have higher employment rate compared to college graduates, according to a latest labor force survey by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The survey, which covers the period of October 2011 to April 2012, showed the rates of the labor force, employment, unemployment, and underemployment in the region, said NSO Statistician Connie Virgula.

The survey also included the employment of 15-year-olds and above by employment status and sex.

Not included in the labor force survey are housewives, students, disabled, and retired persons.

Virgula said the three surveys were conducted to determine the labor force participation rate.

Results showed a labor force participation rate of 65.7 percent in October 2011, 63 percent in January 2012, and 64.7 percent in April 2012. Similarly, employment rate is 93.6 percent in October 2010, 93.7 percent in January 2012, and 93 percent in April 2012.

Unemployment and underemployment rate in the region showed an upward trend from 6.4 percent to 7 percent and 22.3 percent to 25 percent respectively.

The result showed the highest educational attainment in which 847 high school graduates got employed compared to 442 college graduates during the period.

Employment for 446 high school undergraduates is also higher than the 346 college undergraduates.

Virgula reiterated that the survey focused on employment rate and not on the profession dictated by higher education attainment. Similarly, 407 elementary graduates and 594 undergraduates are also employed.

The survey also showed a total population of 5.08 million of 15-year-olds and above in the 3.34 million total labor force that include 3.13 million employed and 216,000 unemployed.

A total of 1.77 million of both sexes are wages and salary workers with 1.48 million working for private household, establishment or family-operated activity and 294,000 working for government or government controlled corporations.

There are 1 million own account workers covering 814,000 self employed and 188,000 employers.