TESDA Job Fair Connects Jobseekers to 1,697 Local and Overseas Opportunities

Caren Grace C. Carbonell and Danica Veraño | Philippine Information Agency

PHILIPPINES. Philippine Information Agency (28 August 2026) - Technical-vocational graduates, returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and other jobseekers in Ilocos Norte gained direct access to 1,697 local and overseas employment opportunities through the 2026 World Café of Opportunities (WCO) held at SM City Laoag on August 26.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), brought together 17 employers and eight government agencies to help jobseekers move from skills training and certification to actual employment.

James Paul Binala, administrative assistant III of TESDA Ilocos Norte, said the event allows jobseekers to engage with several employers in one venue and undergo immediate interviews for available positions.

“We bring opportunities closer to our Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates and other jobseekers where they can be immediately interviewed by multiple employers in just one place,” Binala said.

For fresh graduate Fatima Galacinao of Vintar town, the job fair provided an opportunity to explore more career options as she begins her search for employment.

“This is a great opportunity for us fresh graduates because it broadens our job search and allows us to choose where we want to work,” Galacinao said.

She also encouraged other jobseekers to consider TESDA training to strengthen their skills and improve their chances of securing employment.

Beyond job matching, the WCO showcased other services designed to help workers become more competitive and better connected to industry demand.

These included the TESDA Skills Passport, which provides digital access to training and certification records, and Enterprise-Based Education and Training, which enables companies to conduct skills training directly in the workplace.

TESDA also announced approximately ₱30 million in additional funding for training in the construction, agriculture, and tourism sectors, industries identified as needing skilled workers.

The funding is expected to expand access to training and help prepare workers for available employment opportunities.

Free competency assessment is likewise available to qualified workers, enabling them to obtain a National Certificate as formal recognition of their skills.

For TESDA, initiatives such as the WCO demonstrate how skills development can serve as a direct pathway to employment by bringing training institutions, employers, government services, and jobseekers together.

The approach also highlights the importance of aligning technical-vocational training with actual labor market requirements, particularly in sectors that need a steady supply of skilled workers.

As the country continues to promote skills development and employment, programs that connect trained workers directly with employers can help reduce the gap between available jobs and qualified applicants while expanding opportunities for local and overseas employment.

The WCO, themed “Connecting Skills. Guiding Careers. Creating Opportunities,” was held as part of the celebration of TESDA’s 32nd anniversary and National Tech-Voc Day. (AMB/CGCC/DV, PIA Ilocos Norte)

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