ANOTHER school year is wrapping up in the Philippines. Students, educators and parents in different schools around the country are all geared up for the commencement exercises to welcome the march of 2015 graduates. Through the years graduation has been an annual event that brings Filipinos together to celebrate the next generation’s accomplishments.
“Your education has given you the skills to move forward, to pursue your purpose, and to actualize your dreams. Your education continues to cement your foundations to become a better Filipino; one with a keen sense of both self and community, and one who is mindful of diversity that is grounded on acceptance, tolerance, and peace,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said as a reminder to this year’s graduates.
For his part, Pres. Benigno Aquino III said graduates are future nation-builders and stewards of peace and progress. He encourages all graduates to “tread the straight and righteous path brimming with hope and confidence, and advocate integrity, fairness, and accountability in all our efforts; these will help us realize our shared aspirations for our country.”
An event shared and celebrated around the world, this experience is a culmination of a student’s commitment and hard work after so many years in the academe. The diploma symbolizes the ability of each individual to persevere through tough times, overcome obstacles and reach high academic standards.
While congratulations are in order, reality is already kicking in. What happens after graduation? As soon as these graduates are handed their diplomas, they will join the multitude of recent college graduates ramped up to join the workforce.
Unfortunately, not all these graduates will be lucky enough to land their dream jobs, some won’t even get hired at all. Having a diploma does not guarantee an accommodation. Because there are already 11.5 million unemployed Filipinos, the country’s job market is not as inviting as it used to be.
Conquering the corporate jungles will be twice as difficult for any newly graduate as even those with experience and buff resumes find a hard time getting a stable career and reliable source of income. Recent college graduates will undoubtedly face fierce competition with the few number of employment opportunities available, and decrease in hiring in the country. Because of such conditions, a large number of these graduates are expected to search for jobs abroad instead.
The Philippine government and other local agencies are working to not just give available jobs to these newly-graduates, but also to offer every Filipino with better employment opportunities that will translate to poverty alleviation and economic stability.
The labor and employment policy agenda of the Aquino administration has the goal of investing in the country’s human resource to make the economy more competitive and employable, while also encouraging steady industrial pace. These labor and employment policy reforms will open doors for efficient employment standards that are favorable for both workers and employers.
The Aquino administration is working on increasing the local labor demand to avoid working overseas as a first option for job seekers. With a strong system of public employment service, the government aims to promote creation of jobs in the domestic economy so that overseas employment remains just an option, and not the only way to go.
For migrant workers, the reforms will assess overseas foreign labor markets—in terms of the social cost for the workers and their families, and risks involved for overseas workers—to craft appropriate deployment policy. Welfare and protection of OFWs will remain a government priority. This comes with a comprehensive program and budget support during the entire migration cycle: from pre-employment, on-site employment and post deployment.
The government offers many established and innovative methods of assistance to job seekers. It is up to these job applicants to explore the employment options made available for them.
Graduation is a new beginning. This year challenges Filipino graduates to not just work hard to get their dreams jobs, but to go beyond what they have learned in school and and cultivate their education to benefit mankind and blaze a trail for younger generations to follow.
(AJPress)
