TO address job mismatches, there is a need to strengthen science and technoogy in the Davao Region, a member of the Regional Development Council - Davao Region (RDC-Davao) said.
“There is now a strong urge for our academe, especially the educational system, to strengthen our math sciences and technology,” Arturo Milan, RDC-Davao chairperson, said during the Davao Regional Development Plan press conference in Mapua Malayan Colleges, May 23.
Milan said most of the jobs created in the country are centered on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), yet most of the graduates are inclined in arts.
“Itong math sciences and technology naiwanan na (Our Stem courses had been left out) that's why we are creating a wide mismatch of jobs,” Milan said.
“May mga (We have) investments, mayroon tayong (we have) infrastractures, but kung wala namang labor, na would keep into that kind of investments, investments will not come also, that’s why its very important our education system must be integrated towards our development plan,” he added.
Meanwhile, the PSA recorded 4.5 percent unemployment in Davao Region as of January 2023, higher number compared to October 2022 unemployment rate (3.5%) and 0.3 percent lower than the national estimate.
Underemployment also reached 6.3 percent as of January 2023 compared to 7.8 in October 2022.
Under the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP) 2023-2028, the RDC-Davao targets to cut unemployment rate to 3.6 to 3.9 percent, and underemployment to 5.9 to 6.2 percent by 2028.
“This is what now we are trying to draft and sa DRDP it’s inclusive, part and parcel ang education dito sa region natin na para ma-aaddress itong (our region must address and achieve our) holistic and integrated development plan,” Milan said.
Meanwhile, RDC-Davao Private Sector Representative for Academe Rommel Momo said they had commissioned a study on how can academe can help graduates to be employable and equipped with skills, especially in in-demand industries like STEM and the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
The study will also help academe to mutually link educational systems to possible employability and entrepreneurship successes.
“During the course of our plan, mata-trace natin kung saan mapupunta yung mga graduates, that includes not just the ICT but in fact with the coordination of the private sector and other industries, yung mga in-demand [those which are in-demand],” Momo said. ICE