ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) reported a total number of 69 hired on the spot (HOTS) applicants during its 88th Anniversary Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) Job Fair held at KCC Mall de Zamboanga, Zamboanga City from December 8-10, 2021.

Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said that the job fair offered 3,985 local vacancies from 12 participating employers.

“Most of the vacancies came from the manufacturing and wholesale/retail industry comprising almost 80% of the total number. We are very happy with the jobseeker turnout as 1,708 applicants registered online through our website of which 414 were interviewed,” Atty. Buenafe shared.

Majority of the HOTS applicants were hired as cashiers, baggers and sales associates at one of the biggest malls in Zamboanga City.

“The job fair we organized was blended, which means applicants applied online and were called for a face-to-face interview at the venue on December 8 with respect to the IATF health protocols.

DOLE 9 will continue to facilitate employment of our kababayans especially those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Through these job fairs, jobseekers are given the chance to get hired and start earning again to help their families,” Atty. Buenafe concluded.

Meanwhile, 69 job applicants were referred to TESDA for skills training to help them land better jobs in the future.

The TNK Job Fair in Zamboanga City was just one of the many jobs and business fairs conducted in the country during DOLE’s celebration of its 88th Founding Anniversary.