IN ITS bid to strengthen job linkages of Technical-Vocational graduates and alumni for immediate employment opportunities, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) is set to conduct its World Cafe of Opportunities (WCO) in the region.

The WCO is a job fair that seeks to connect government and private agencies to Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) graduates, a highlight of the National Tech-Voc Day celebrated every 25th day of August pursuant to Republic Act 10970.

Tesda-Cordillera Regional Director Manuel Wong explained this was consistent to their advocacy “Tesda Abot Lahat,” wherein it continuous to implement Job Linkaging and Networking Services or JoLiNS through WCO.

“It is the policy of the government to relay to the WCO through JoLiNS, the Key Employment Generators which will create and open job opportunities in various sectors particularly construction in support of the Build-Build-Build program of President Rodrigo Duterte,” Wong said.

WCO will serve as a “one-stop-shop” for TVET graduates and alumni, entrepreneurs, companies and industries with job vacancies, and returning overseas Filipino workers and their qualified beneficiaries where national government agencies, private companies, tech-voc institutions and financing institutions converge in strategic locations to offer all possible employment, training and financing opportunities, and facilitate higher job-skill matching.

Government agencies and non-government organizations who committed to be part of WCO include the City Public Employment Service Office, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Philippine Export Processing Zone Authority, Department of Education, Department of Agrarian Reform, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippine National Police, Philippine Information Agency, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio, Baguio City School of Arts and Trades, and Tech-Voc Schools Association representatives.

The 2nd “World Café of Opportunities" is set on August 25 at the Baguio City High School which seeks to target and serve at least 1,000 certified TVET graduates and alumni with 15 percent hired-on-the spot with 13 tourism industry employers, and is targeting 15 construction industries.