Over 100 vacancies will be available for job seekers in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) in a virtual job fair slated on Aug. 25 in line with the 27th anniversary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Rafael Abrogar II, director of TESDA Region 12, said on Tuesday a number of companies in the region have signified to join the annual World Café of Opportunities (WCO) fair, which aims to link up technical-vocational (tech-voc) training graduates to various employment opportunities.

He said the activity, which focuses on the theme: “Pagbangon, Pag-asa at Pag-abante sa Bente Syete,” aims to contribute to the recovery efforts amid the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The jobs vacancies, mostly for local deployment, include those in construction, agriculture, health, and other key sectors, he said.

“It is open to residents who want to work, especially the graduates of our tech-voc programs,” Abrogar said in a statement.

WCO, which was launched nationwide by TESDA in 2018 in partnership with other government agencies and private organizations, is a venue for residents to seek work opportunities through the agency’s job linkage and networking services.

An agency briefer said it is one of the strategies to link tech-voc education and training graduates or alumni to employment opportunities, both in wage and self-employment.

Abrogar said they decided to hold the job fair and its related activities online, the first time in four years, due to the Covid-19 threat.

He said it will allow qualified job seekers to apply for the available vacancies while in their homes and avoiding possible exposure to the disease.

Interested individuals may join the job fair using a cellphone, laptop, or desktop computer by accessing the 27.tesda.gov.ph website and clicking the WCO icon, he said.

Soccsksargen posted one of the highest employment rates in 2020 for graduates of tech-voc education and training programs facilitated by TESDA-12 at 84 percent, Abrogar added. (PNA)