Foreign chambers, schools tie up for jobs

Foreign business chambers have partnered with an academic association in a bid to minimize jobs-skills mismatch in the labor sector. The American, Australian-New Zealand, British, Canadian and European chambers of commerce had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), to endorse “deserving and qualified” college students for internship programs, as well as employment opportunities that would be available at the upcoming Foreign Chambers Employment Expo in October.

PACU groups about 180 higher learning institutions in the country.

“The partnership [with PACU] opens a lot of possibilities for the chambers and provides companies which we represent with a direct channel to the best available talent pool that can fit their respective operational needs,” Leslie Stokes, British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines executive director, said in a statement.

“We have always wanted to address the jobs-skills mismatch in the country. Partnering with PACU is a big step towards attaining that goal,” Stokes said.

About 3,000 jobs and 500 internship slots from 40 companies coming from various industries would be up for grabs at the Foreign Chambers Employment Expo.

Peter Laurel, PACU president, said the association would “ensure that the most qualified graduating and third year college students nationwide will be coming to the employment expo to apply for job vacancies and internship programs.” –Ben Arnold O. de Vera, Manila Times