Longer workplace immersion to boost employability of new grads

MANILA, Philippines — Having longer workplace immersion programs or on-the-job training for senior high school students is seen to increase their chances of being employed once they graduate, according to a business-led education advocacy group.

“Immersion is very important because it gives students also the interface with employers,” Philippine Business for Education executive director Justine Raagas told reporters in an interview.

Raagas said that sometimes the hesitancy of companies to employ senior high school graduates is because they never had any experience working with them.

“But what we found is that if they see the kids at the workplace, they see that they are capable, that’s when they are able to hire. Interface is very important, but at the same time, inputs to the curriculum to embed workplace-ready competencies,” she added.

She emphasized that by having a strong work immersion system for senior high school students and bring in inputs from the private sector to infuse the competencies that they are looking for, the students will be able to better learn the skill sets they need at the workplace.

Asked if a longer on-the-job training for senior high school students should be implemented from the current 80 hours minimum, Raagas said that they’ve seen that month-long work immersion programs have resulted in the students being employed.