'Tech-voc grads find jobs easier'

MANILA, Philippines - Graduates of technical and vocational courses do not only get employed quicker, they also earn more, an expert on labor market trends said yesterday.

In a report, David Arkless, Manpower Group’s president of global corporate and government affairs, said there is a huge demand for technical and vocational skills globally.

“If you are a Bachelor of Arts graduate in North America, and if you could find a job – which was pretty tough last year – your average starting salary would be just over $38,500 a year. Within the same age group, if you are a skilled technician or if you are a vocationally-trained young person, your average starting salary would be $57,000 a year,” Arkless said.

“So why don’t we start asking young people? Would you rather have an esoteric arts degree or humanities degree, or some kind of physics degree, or would you rather have an education that would guarantee a career?” he said.

Arkless said there is growing evidence that countries and corporations are now looking more closely at supply and demand.

“We are currently working with a number of countries to help governments and organizations determine what their forward plan should be for hiring the right people, in the right place, and in the right time,” he said.

One of the most effective strategies adopted by large economies like China, Europe and America to address job and skills mismatch is to ask employers what kind of skills they need in the next five to ten years.

Arkless said the Philippines is on right track in its efforts to resolve jobs and skills mismatch.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has been calling on students and young jobseekers who want to immediately land lucrative and rewarding jobs to enroll in technical-vocational courses.