DOLE reports close to 400,000 job vacancies in RP, abroad

MANILA, Philippines – More jobs have opened up both here and abroad in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2007, according to statistics from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

A total of 391,589 employment vacancies in the country and outside are yet to be filled in the first quarter of the year alone, data from the DOLE’s Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) showed.

Despite the country’s high unemployment rate, DOLE has recorded an increasing number of job vacancies or unfilled positions over the past years.

Labor officials however noted that job openings could not be filled due to the unavailability of qualified workers.

The latest recorded job vacancies were 50,000 more than the recorded 336,645 employment opportunities posted during the same period last year.

Based on BLES data, Southern Tagalog posted the highest job vacancies with a total of 70,438 followed by Central Luzon with 56,761 and Metro Manila with 53,548.

However, the three regions also posted the highest number of job applicants, numbering over 120,000 in the first quarter of the year alone.

The same data gathered by BLES revealed that customer service assistants and call centers agents are now the most in demand skilled workers among local employers.

In an effort to address the prevailing mismatch problem, DOLE launched recently an online career guide for high school graduates and other young jobseekers nationwide.

Students and jobseekers can readily access Career Guide through the DOLE website at www.phil-job.net or www.ble.dole.gov.ph. – Mayen  Jaymalin