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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senior high school graduates are employable --- advocacy group

Senior high school graduates are employable --- advocacy group

PBEd says SHS graduates can land employment with 'right training, workplace exposure'

Published Aug 27, 2023 10:55 am

Amid employability concerns raised among Senior High School (SHS) graduates under the K to 12 Program, an advocacy group underscored their potential to land employment when provided with comprehensive training and skills development opportunities.

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Senior High School graduates / DepEd file photo

“Senior high school graduates are employable, given the right training and workplace exposure,” said Philippine for Business Education (PBEd) Executive Director Justine Raagas.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/4/why-senior-high-school-program-is-a-necessary-sacrifice-2


PBEd, in a statement, said that work-based training opportunities would help bolster the employability of K to 12 graduates.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/29/ph-education-in-crisis-1

“We just need to develop better mechanisms for government, industry, and academe to work together so we can connect school and work,” Raagas explained.

During the House Committee on Basic Education hearing on Aug. 22, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that at least 180,000 local jobs are open for high school graduates.

However, DOLE also noted the employers' concerns about the skill readiness of current SHS graduates --- prompting a recommendation for a more targeted SHS curriculum to develop strand-specific competencies for work.

“To tackle unemployment and underemployment issues among the youth, we have been actively pushing for private sectors, schools, and the government to collaborate and invest in youth training initiatives,” Raagas said.

PBEd’s workforce development program–implemented with the support of USAID–YouthWorks PH, showed that out of 294 K to 12 graduates who underwent the work-based training, “222 have successfully secured employment, resulting in an overall employment rate of 76 percent.”

Raagas shared that post-training, “companies who are opening their doors for K to 12 graduates are in the sectors of construction, food and beverage services, and food processing.”

In its May 2023 report, DOLE also outlined that job opportunities available for high school graduates include production machine operators, call center agents, sales associates, and technical assistants.
Given this, Raagas underscored the need to create a “more inclusive and productive workforce by unlocking the potential” of SHS graduates.

“We urge more companies to put their skin in the game by opening their doors to training our youth and making skills-based hiring the norm,” she said.


YouthWorks PH


YouthWorks PH follows a training model that encompasses technical-vocational training, soft skills development, and apprenticeship enabling the youth to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, making them well-rounded and adaptable employees.

Under this initiative, PBEd engages with employers to provide work-based training opportunities for the youth to ensure that the skills learned by trainees match the needs of the company.

YouthWorks PH operates across multiple sites throughout the country, including Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, GenSan, Zamboanga, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.


Aside from free skills training, young individuals receive wraparound support to facilitate connectivity for those doing remote learning, and 75 percent of the minimum wage within their area as an allowance during their work-based training.


“Through our partnership with the private sector, we’re assured that the training provided aligns with the needs of industries, helping us create a pool of highly-skilled trainees who are readily absorbed for in-demand and hard-to-fill positions,” Raagas said.

RELATED STORY:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/12/dep-ed-creates-a-national-task-force-to-review-shs-program-find-out-why

Related Tags

Senior High School graduates SHS graduates PBEd philippine business for education senior high school
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