CEBU, Philippines - The Board of Trade of St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada expects that up to 70,000 new jobs will be available in the city in the next ten years.
Of the figure, 20,000 openings are related to heavy industry such as mining and power generation.
Ambassador Leslie B. Gatan stated that a team was sent to Canada to meet with the board officials on job opportunities there, during which the Department of Foreign Affairs was informed on how to take advantage of job opportunities in Canada.
Gatan was accompanied by honorary consul general Hazel Ouano-Alpuerto based in St. John’s, NFL, minister and consul general Neil Frank Ferrer, first secretary and consul Eric Gerardo Tamayo and labor attache Francisco Luna.
Ouano-Alpuerto, whose appointment to the said position was extended from April 1, 2012 to April 1, 2015, has relayed this information to his older brother, Cebu Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano.
PB member Ouano said that Ouano-Alpuerto told him that this is the best time for Filipinos to grab this employment opportunities in Canada.
The former Mandaue City mayor is the chairman of a local placement agency, Time Republic Manpower and General Services.
“My sister is there (Canada) to assist and help Filipinos. There are plenty of jobs available in Canada provided also that one is qualified for the job,” Ouano said.
St. John’s is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America.
Gatan said an aging population of 510,000 – with working population of 250,000 – is holding back economic growth, which is something the Philippines would be well positioned to help.
Gatan added that the single biggest concern of the board members is access to skilled and unskilled labor in a variety of industries, including the services sector.
“Even with a 12 percent unemployment rate, companies are finding it hard to find needed labor,” she said.
The Philippine delegation was also informed that St. John’s training schools are now seeking partnerships to train workers from abroad in the areas of health, hospitality and business. (FREEMAN)