College education not an edge in job hunting — Study

It may seem ironic, but a recent study commissioned by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) showed that college education does not necessarily give a jobseeker an edge over his "less educated" counterparts.

The study, entitled "A Research on Issues Affecting Young Filipino Workers," showed that college graduates aged 15 to 24 accounted for an unemployment rate of 26.2 percent.

The figure is far higher than the 13.6 percent for high school graduates; 9.1 percent for elementary dropouts; 8.4 percent for college dropouts; and 8.3 percent for elementary graduates.

There are some 1.7 million unemployed Filipino youths. Majority of them blame the lack of job opportunities for their failure to get employed despite completing secondary and tertiary education.

"The results of the study are disturbing considering that most of those who were unable to find work have at least finished secondary education," said TUCP spokesman Alex Aguilar.

Aguilar warned that a high unemployment rate among young Filipinos could have serious sociological implications since they constitute a highly vulnerable segment of the population.

Thus, the TUCP called on the government to immediately implement reforms in the educational system to enhance job creation, particularly in the countryside.

Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Imson, however, is bullish on employment prospects this year, particularly for young jobseekers, saying the government is carrying out various job promotion programs.