CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)– Job seekers should possess soft skills in communication and leadership, as they are what matter most in any organization.
Emmanuel G. Toledo, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Cagayan de Oro City Field Office chief, said that most young graduates now lack soft skills.
“Kasagaran sa atong mga young graduates karon hina sa soft skills, unya naa pud kultura sa atong mga young graduates karon nga dali ra pul-an og trabaho [Most of our young graduates are weak in soft skills, and there is this culture where these young graduates are easily bored of their jobs],” Toledo said.
According to DOLE Labor Market Information, a large portion of young graduates today work in the gig economy, which relies heavily on independent contractors and freelancers to fill temporary and part-time positions as opposed to full-time permanent employees.
“Gig economy is alluring a lot of graduates, [giingon nila] kay diri ra ko sa balay or at my own pace, pacing ang akong trabaho total naa man ko income [because they can work at their own pace and remain at home to earn],” the DOLE CDO chief said.
According to Toledo, the department’s goals include monitoring, regulating, and matching graduates with the expanding job market.
Employee qualifications are typically assessed through three primary dimensions: knowledge, skill, and attitude. Firstly, competency in these areas is crucial. Secondly, experience holds significant weight, as candidates lacking it may require company-provided training. Thirdly, soft skills such as communication and leadership capabilities are essential, given their significant impact within an organization.
“We are happy that a lot of our businesses nagsugod na gyud og nag-boom na og balik og hiring. In fact, karon naa tay 26 ka local employers daghan kaayo sila og job offerings. Mao na nga gipaningkamotan gyud sa DOLE nga sa mga miaging job fairs, daghan pud kayo ta hired on the spot [We are happy that a lot of our businesses have started to boom and are back to hiring. In fact, we have a total of 26 local employers with so many job offerings. That is why DOLE is trying its best, even with the previous job fairs, to really get more hired on the spot],” Toledo said.
DOLE-10 spearheaded a job fair on December 1 and 2, 2023, at the SM CDO City Uptown, Mastersons Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City, as the department commemorates its 90th founding anniversary with the theme “DOLE @ 90: Serbisyong Mabilis at Matapat sa Bagong Pilipinas.” (JMOR, edited by RTP/PIA-10)
Emmanuel G. Toledo, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Cagayan de Oro City Field Office Chief in an interview during DOLE’s 90th Anniversary Job Fair, December 1-2, 2023 at SM CDO City Uptown, this is what most young graduates now lack soft skills. (JMOR/PIA-10)
