STEEL Asia opens wider network of employment opportunities as most of their skilled workers hired are highschool graduates.
In an interview with Steel Asia Davao Plant Manager Romeo Soliven, he said their company practices employment inclusivity. Out of their 320 employees in the plant, about 31 percent are skilled workers. Most of these are high school graduates that had undergone on-the-job skills training as well as training exposure for a specific field they would be working in.
"But the training doesn't stop there. They are assigned to areas they have seen to excel in. Also, if they are good enough and performing well, they even have chances to be promoted as we practice internal hiring and only hire trainable position which is left by the ones promoted," said Soliven.
He added they believe that with the success of the company, comes the success of the company as well. As a means to give back to the community they are located, they give employment priorities to Dabawenyos. About 65 percent of their employees are residents of Davao City, 26 percent from Davao del Norte, and a good 9 percent comes from various places in Mindanao including Compostela Valley, Cotabato City, Marawi City, and Iligan City.
"In a way, hiring of people from the community has its advantages. As they are living nearby, they have less attendance issues as well," said Soliven.
He added that their company has a high retention rate with only about 3 to 4 people leaving per year, most of their reasons is to find greener pastures abroad. However, some of those who have resigned and worked at the Middle East, comes back to Steel Asia and we're still being welcomed by the company.
"We practice non-discrimination in Steel Asia and makes sure we provide fair opportunities to the employees," he said.
As a matter of fact, Steel Asia now employs a female Maranao welder from Marawi City. Rohaina Roxanne Pondiong is currently the only female welder in the whole company after being hired by Steel Asia last year. Her hiring follows the OJT and other necessary training Steel Asia provided her after graduating from Tesda Iligan.
"Her performance actually is more precise than with male technicians. And in a way, she is a good challenge to her male counterparts. If she can do good, why can't the others, right? Also, the male counterparts treat her fairly," Soliven said.