Explainer: Why do senior high grads struggle to land their first job?
A graduate of senior high school (SHS) shared her struggles of landing a job after graduation. KAMI learned that there are many factors as to why some employers do not accept SHS graduates for entry level jobs.
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In a report by the GMA News, around 1.2 million students in the Philippines graduated from senior high school after the new K-12 Program was implemented in 2012. One of the main goals of the new curriculum was to enhance the employability of the SHS students before they enter the workforce.
"Pangako nila noon is 'pag naka-graduate ka, makaka-apply ka agad. Bakit parang ang hirap pa rin sa akin na kapag... i-accept ako sa trabaho na ina-applyan ko,” Catrinjoy Bolo said, a senior high school graduate.
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According to the online job portal Jobstreet.com Philippines, around 41% of the employers and company are indefinite or still trying to figure out if they are prepared enough to accept K-12 graduates. About 35% of the companies said that they are not yet ready to take SHS graduates, while 24% or 1 out of 4 employers stated that they welcome senior high grads.
"Medyo nag-aalangan pa kasi. Unang-una, makikita natin na hindi sila handa tumanggap ng K-12 kasi 'yung mga requirements nila ay only offered to college graduates," said Philip Gioca, country manager, Jobstreet.com Phl.
For Love Basillote of Philippine Business for Education (PBED), some misconceptions should be corrected, like the age of the graduates. She added that most companies require college graduates and that it would take time for them to change their H.R. manuals.
"Hindi nila alam na karamihan sa mga guma-graduate ng K-12, ay 18 years old na. Kasi nandun pa rin sila sa mindset na, 'ah high school graduate' so 16, underage,” she said.
DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said that one way to address the concern is to strengthen their ties with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other private sectors.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
