The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) launched on Friday the UPAA Job Placement Office (JPO), an innovative initiative aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment.

UP Alumni Regent and UPAA president Robert Lester Aranton underlined the collaboration of the JPO and its potential to shape the future of UP graduates.

“This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration — an academe-industry-government partnership brought to life through the unwavering support of our alumni network,” Aranton said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority announced on the same day that the country’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent in September 2024, down from 4.5 percent in the same month last year. In September 2024, the number of employed Filipinos reached 49.9 million, an increase of 2.2 million compared to the same period in 2023.

The event was attended by key figures from government, industry, and the university, all united in their commitment to empowering the Filipino workforce.

Aranton acknowledged the importance of the event’s diverse stakeholders, including Labor and Employment Secretary Ben Laguesma, who showed a steadfast commitment to the Filipino workforce.

Commitment to labor causes

“Laguesma’s presence reflects a steadfast commitment to the Filipino workforce and his support for initiatives like the JPO, which bridges the gap between education and employment. His involvement underscores how this initiative transcends institutional affiliations, bringing together all stakeholders who share a vision of empowerment and nation-building,” Aranton said.

The UPAA Job Placement Office aims to address the ongoing issue of job mismatches by equipping UP students and alumni with the skills necessary to succeed in a competitive job market.

“What sets the UPAA JPO apart is its unique and forward-thinking approach. This is not a typical job placement service. We aim to cater to high-end skills and address the persistent issue of job mismatches by equipping our students and alumni with soft skills, technical expertise, and professional development opportunities,” Aranton explained.

Unlike traditional job fairs, where employers select candidates, the JPO adopts a reverse model, empowering students and alumni to select their employers.

“By leveraging the UP standard of quality graduates and through strategic interventions like student and alumni profiling, we empower our applicants to choose their employers,” Aranton said.