Quezon City — The University of the Philippines (UP) and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) officially launched the Job Placement Office (UPAA-JPO) on Friday, 6 December, at Ang Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman Quezon City.

The event was graced by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Ben Laguesma, Undersecretary Benedicto Bitonio, Jr., UP Alumni Regent and UPAA president Robert Lester Aranton, UP vice president for Academic Affairs Dr. Leo Cubilan, and UP and PEZA officials.

The initiative is a pilot project between the university and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and shall act as a localized Public Employment Service Office (PESO) offering free services such as career coaching, job placement, and employment facilitation.  

“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. Through this initiative, we prepare them to become more employable, more marketable, and more confident in charting their career paths,” says UPAA president Robert Lester Aranton.

The JPO will not only offer job listings but career counseling, skills development workshops, industry-specific events, and networking opportunities — ensuring that every applicant will be equipped to meet the demands of the competitive employment landscape.

“With the JPO, our alumni and students gain the tools, confidence, and support they need to navigate their careers on their terms, embodying the true spirit of a UP graduate,” shares Aranton.