DepEd: 241 SHS grads hired on the spot at gov't job fairs across PH

At least 241 senior high school (SHS) graduates and alternative learning system (ALS) learners were hired on the spot during government-led job fairs aimed at easing their transition into the workforce, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Friday.

The immediate hiring took place under the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF), an inter-agency initiative that brings employers and government services directly to graduating students.

The hires were recorded across pilot sites in Sorsogon, Cebu, and Davao del Norte, with 80 placements in Sorsogon, 145 in Talisay City, and 16 in Panabo City, according to DepEd.

The agency said the program also drew 1,747 jobseekers, with more than half of qualified applicants eventually placed in jobs.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative is designed to ensure that graduates can move directly into employment after finishing school.

“This initiative is our way of ensuring our graduates do not just hold a diploma, but also a ticket to immediate employment,” Angara said.

Free documents, lower job-seeking costs

Aside from job matching, the fair also provided free processing of pre-employment requirements under the Republic Act No. 11261.

Applicants were issued documents such as PSA birth certificates and NBI and police clearances at no cost.

DepEd said this helped families save between ₱740 and ₱820 in fees alone, excluding transportation and time spent securing documents.

One-stop shop for employment

The program was also rolled out in Metro Manila schools, including sites in Makati, Mandaluyong, and Caloocan, where employment services and document processing were integrated into a single venue.

Other services offered during the fairs included medical certificates with PhilHealth support and Civil Service exam registration, allowing graduates to complete key employment requirements in one location.

DepEd said the results show that bringing employers and services closer to learners can speed up hiring and reduce barriers for first-time jobseekers. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News