Some 9,000 jobseekers participated in the three-day initial leg of the “Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso” job fair of the government which was held in three areas in the country last week.

In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that a total of 407 applicants were able to secure immediate employment, while 8,376 others were considered as near-hires.

During the event held from Sept. 22 to 23 in the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Visayas and Davao Region, a total of 157 employers participated which offered 8,310 jobs.

The DOLE emphasized the need to bridge jobseekers with the human resource requirements of the recovering tourism industry.

The Luzon leg was held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, where 71 participating employers offered 3,620 vacancies.

Of the 3,000 applicants who flocked to the venue, 45 were hired on the spot while 7,752 others were considered as near-hires.

On the other hand, there were 4,000 applicants who visited the job fair site in the Visayas where 332 were immediately hired, while 182 others were considered near-hires.

The job fair was held in SM City Cebu, where 2,114 vacancies were offered by 44 participating employers.

For the Mindanao leg, 30 jobseekers were hired-on-the-spot and 442 others were considered as near-hires. There were 1,000 applicants who went to the venue.

A total of 2,576 vacancies were offered by 42 employers during the event held in Abreeza Mall Davao.

Near-hires are those who may be hired or placed depending on the outcome of their interview and compliance with the pre-employment requirements of the hiring company.

Meanwhile, a total of 530 applicants were also referred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for further skills training.

According to the DOLE, the series of job fairs that commenced this month will conclude in May 2023.

The event is co-organized by the DOLE and the Department of Tourism (DOT). (PNA)