DOLE-1 leads formation of career counselors regional network

By Miriaflor Rimando

Tuesday 14th of August 2012

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Aug 14 (PIA) -- Several stakeholders led by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - 1 met recently to lay out plans and organize Regional Network of Guidance Counselors and Coaches (RNGCC) at the Sea and Sky Hotel Restaurant, this city, to help more students in the region build a better and secured career.

According to National Statistics Office, there are 7.2 percent unemployed and 18.8 percent underemployed graduates this year. Although it decreased from last year’s rate of 7.4 percent and 19.4 percent respectively, there is still need to find solution to address these labor problems.

Through the initiative of DOLE 1, with program partners such as the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, gathered to establish a network of guidance counselors and coaches in the region.

Career coaching was being done before by the focal person in the field offices of DOLE and the Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO). But with RNGCC, there will be an organization of guidance counselors in the region that will be able to prepare the would-be graduates in looking for the suitable career for their future, says DOLE 1 Information Officer Jeri Dee Orate.

This career guidance organization will address the jobs-skills mismatch through the provision of updated and reliable information to help students make better career choices, Orate added.

During the meeting, DepEd representative Dr. Edwin Ferrer said there is already an existing career guidance network in the 14 school divisions of the region which composed of 120 guidance counselors.

Since there are only few guidance counselors in the region, it was agreed that among the PESO managers and other able individuals will be trained as coaches and will use the existing career and employment coaching (CEC) module.

According to Ursua, once the organization is registered with the Security and Exchange Commission, the body will become a strong organization and unified in attaining their goal - to expand the delivery of the CEC program and to help more students build a better and secure future for them.

The stakeholders are set to meet again on August 16. (ANL/MBR-PIA 1 La Union with reports from DOLE 1)