Skilled workers wanted

THE recruitment industry yesterday urged the government to provide additional funds for training workers for the Middle East and other countries like Canada and Australia where more than 300,000 skilled jobs await them.

Jackson Gan, vice president of the Federated Association of Manpower Exporters, said the government can avoid the effects of a looming world recession if it will quickly fill up the job orders.

“The lack of experienced manpower for the vacancies above should be the government’s first priority as the country continues to receive hundreds of thousands of job order for professionals and skilled manpower.

Gan said the government should set aside additional training funds for the Technical Education and Skills Development Training and the Department of Education subsidies for vocational schools.

He added legislators can provide regional training centers from the countrywide development funds for their constituents’ training and knowledge for in demand jobs like welders, electricians, machinists, mechanics and many others. Journal Online

Canada opens doors to foreign workers

On recruitment missions to hire Filipino welders, butchers, food handlers, and other skilled workers.

THE head of Canada’s Ministry of Advance Education, Employment and Labor and his delegation arrived in Manila yesterday to present to the Philippine government more employment opportunities in Saskatchewan that are available to foreign workers including Filipinos.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Rosalinda Baldoz said Minister Rob Norris and his delegation are scheduled to meet with Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, officials of other government agencies like the POEA, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education and officers of the Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities to present their province’s immigration programs aimed at meeting the increasing demand for skilled labor.

The Canadian minister will focus his discussion on the economic strength of Saskatchewan, highlighting its relationship with the Philippines and how its expanding economy offers excellent potential for long-term business and investment partnerships.

His delegation includes Mary Donlevy Konkin, Ministerial Assistant, and Eric Johansen, Director of Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.

Baldoz said Saskatchewan was the first province of Canada that signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine labor department on the hiring of professionals and skilled workers.

She added a group of Canadian employers arrived last May 22 to recruit Filipino workers.

The POEA administrator said the recruitment will be through Philippine licensed agencies selected by the Saskatchewan government and applicants will not be charged placement fees.

She added the Canadian employers, mostly from the cities of Regina and Saskatoon, will interview applicants pre-selected by the licensed recruitment agencies.

Several groups of employers from Saskatchewan have conducted recruitment missions during the past year hiring Filipino welders, butchers, food handlers, and other skilled workers.

The provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba have also signed a similar agreement with the Philippines. By: Lee Ann P. Ducusin - Journal online