Skills mismatch, age requirement blamed for fewer job hires

THE lack of skills and age requirement were among of the factors why job applicants failed to get hired during the Labor Day job fair in Central Visayas.

Emmanuel Ferrer, information officer of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole-7), said there were 5,602 job applicants on the Dole-initiated job fairs in five venues in Cebu and Negros Oriental.

The job fairs were held in SM Cebu City, SM Consolacion, Cebu Provincial Capitol (Peso), Abellana Sports Complex, and Robinsons Place in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

There were 7,400 available jobs for local employment and 19,113 available jobs for overseas employment.

But only 266 applicants were hired on the spot, including the four who were accepted for overseas employment.

Though, Ferrer said, around 1,935 applicants were referred for further interview, which means that they still have the chance to be hired.

Ferrer explained on why several applicants failed to get the jobs they applied for.

Ferrer said some companies have required specific age bracket and if an applicant will not fall on that age bracket, he or she will not be accepted.

Ferrer said age bracket requirement is a management prerogative.

age requirements

“Sometimes, ang ubang mga companies dunay requirement nga age bracket. For example, they will require 21 to 25 age bracket, kung ang applicant milapas na ana, dili na sila madawat”, he said.

Ferrer said other companies will also give some requirement on their skills.

“Naa sa’y criteria nga ang applicant should be a computer literate, pero pag-interview dili diay makapasar,” he added.

Those who lacked of skills were referred to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

In fact, during last Wednesday’s job fair, 344 applicants were referred to Tesda for skills training.

Around 83 applicants were also referred for livelihood assistance for self-employment. /Correspondent Jhunnex Napallacan