SENIOR high school graduates were among those who gained financial freedom when they were hired on the spot during the Kalayaan Jobs Fairs held on June 12, 2019, Philippine Independence Day.
The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) 7 said at least six senior high school graduates landed jobs as electricians, production or manufacturing workers or machine operators.
The senior high school system added Grades 11 and 12, the last two years, to the K-12 program where students begin to study subjects that will introduce them to their preferred career path. Graduates become employable and start looking for jobs should they want to join the workforce.
Dole 7 Regional Director Salome O. Siaton said, “Last Labor Day job fair and now after the conduct of the Independence Day Jobs Fairs, we are seeing senior high school graduates getting jobs. This could be a demonstration that indeed they are ready to be employed and that their skills match with what the employers require.”
One of the graduates, Kristine Vil Bendoy, 18, was hired at the job fair conducted in Lapu-Lapu City. Within the week, Bendoy started work as a production operator in one of the industrial production companies in the city.
Bendoy, who graduated last April from the Babag National High School under the Accountancy, Business, and Management K-12 Strand, said she is thankful to Dole and the participating employers at the jobs fair for giving her and the rest of the senior high school graduates the opportunity to be employed.
“I really wanted to work right after graduating from senior high school to help support and provide for the daily needs of my family. I have five siblings and we are being raised alone by my father who is a tricycle driver,” she said.
Siaton said the number of senior high school graduates employed could still increase. So far, her office recorded 446 such graduates about to be hired. There are 297 for local employment and 149 for overseas employment. With these figures, she said she hoped for an increase in the employment rate in the region, as well.
The Dole 7 will monitor those employed and those processing their requirements after they were tagged as for hiring by companies in the jobs fair. (PR)