Providing learners in Senior High School (SHS) and the Alternative Learning System (ALS) with immediate employment.
Last Wednesday, March 25, the nationwide Bagong Pilipinas School Fair was officially rolled out in the key pilot areas of Metro Manila, Sorsogon, Cebu, and Davao del Norte.
Through the collaboration of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), some 40 schools nationwide served as one-stop shops for pre-employment services and job vacancies—all in accordance with the Republic Act No. 11261 (First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act).
It was reported that about 1,188 SHS graduates and ALS learners successfully secured immediate employment. They add to the 300 learners who were hired on the spot during earlier pilot runs.
In total, about 40 percent of qualified applicants were hired on the spot at the fair itself.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the BPSF is a great help in reducing expenses for families because it brings government agencies and employers under one roof.
“In times of crisis, it is our duty to bring government services and real-world opportunities closer to our learners to ensure they have a fighting chance as they enter the workforce,” he said. “By eliminating the high costs of pre-employment requirements, we empower our graduates to focus on building their career immediately.”
For her part, DOLE Undersecretary Carmela Torres noted, “We want our youth to know that the government is listening and providing the necessary assistance and services as they take their first steps toward a career. Through the BPSF, we are not just offering jobs; we are offering employment pathways.”
Aside from jobs, 5,975 students obtained free documents such as birth certificates and NBI and police clearances.