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| A sea of jobseekers at the "Trabaho Para Sa Bayan: Job Opportunities Building Skills (J.O.B.S.)" Job Fair held at the SM Mall of Asia last May 9, 2024 (Image Source: SM Supermalls) |
The quest for an empowered Filipino workforce accelerated as SM Supermalls, the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), Jobstreet by SEEK, and its partners spearheaded the “Trabaho Para Sa Bayan: J.O.B.S. (Job Opportunities Building Skills)" Commitment Ceremony at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall last May 9, 2024. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between job seekers and potential employers, tackling the challenge of unemployment in the Philippines.
The ceremony, which brought together industry giants, prominent associations, and government leaders – including the Philippines' leading mall operator SM Supermalls, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and the Philippine Exporters Confederation (PHILEXPORT) — to host a series of job fairs and provide an online job matching platform, signified a collaborative effort towards a common goal. SM’s dedication to this cause is evident. “Since January, SM has hosted more than 60 job fairs nationwide, gathering around 2,000 employers, and engaging more than 35,000 applicants with a significant number receiving on-the-spot job offers. SM will continue to host weekly job fairs across various SM Supermalls nationwide with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) till November – in accessible and comfortable venues where companies and job seekers can find their right match," said SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) Executive Director Deborah Sy.
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| Future careers take shape at the "Trabaho Para Sa Bayan: Job Opportunities Building Skills (J.O.B.S.)" Job Fair held at the SM Mall of Asia last May 9, 2024 (Image Source: SM Supermalls) |
Coinciding with the commitment ceremony, a job fair was held with 44% Hired-on-the-Spot (HOTS) applicants, the highest so far in 60 employment activities held nationwide this year. It featured a wide range of employers actively seeking talented individuals including brands like BDO Unibank, BDO Life, SM Home/Homeworld, Our Home, SM Store, SM Retail, SM Fashion, Savemore, SM Stationery, SM Supermalls, SM Supermarket, Surplus, SM Hypermarket, Sports Central, 2GO, Ace Hardware, Alfamart, Goldilocks, Kultura, Baby Company, Star Appliance Center, The Body Shop, Toy Kingdom, and Watsons. Other companies include the 33rd Taftst, Inc. / Jollibee, Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli, Mini Depato Corp., Polystar General Services, Inc., Green Pasture, Sosa JB Property Management Corp., Robinsons Supermarket Corp., and Specialty Food Retailers Inc. / Rustan Group of Companies. SM extended its commitment to job creation with a series of weekly job fairs held at SM City Tuguegarao last May 15, SM City Rosario in Cavite last May 16 and 24, and SM City Batangas last May 25.
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| SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) Vice Chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson (center) and SM Foundation Inc. Executive Director Deborah Sy (second from right) with, from left: Philippine Exporters Confederation President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion, Ayala Corporation Lead Independent Director Rizalina Mantaring, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) Vice President Ferdinand Ferrer, Magsaysay Group of Companies President Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman George Barcelon, Jobstreet by SEEK Managing Director Dannah Majarocon, Special Assistant to the President for Investments and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (Image Source: SM Supermalls) |
Looking beyond the physical job fairs, SM Foundation and Jobstreet by SEEK announced a digital partnership. This online platform aims to broaden the scope of job search opportunities for Filipinos and industry associations are collaborating to utilize it for advertising their vacancies. On the other hand, SM announced its pilot upskilling initiative, focusing on digital skills. This program, with plans for future expansion, aims to train and enhance the existing workforce, preparing them for the demands of the ever-evolving job market. For more details on the SM Job Fairs, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.
