Around 6,000 jobs for skilled and unskilled workers will be made available on Saturday (Nov. 12) at the Robinsons Place Ilocos here.

Organized by the Ilocos Norte government through the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the year-end job fair aims to provide more opportunities for Ilocanos who wish to find local employment in the province.

Provincial manager Anne Marie Lizette Bitancor-Atuan of the PESO Ilocos Norte said many residents working in the city are taking advantage of the government’s “Balik Probinsiya” program to look for employment in the province.

“There are 35 local companies who confirmed their participation in the event,” she said, adding that two overseas companies will also be joining but have yet to submit their vacancies.

In preparation for the holidays, some local employers have signified their intent to hire on the spot.

Meanwhile, various local government units including other national government agencies will also be joining the activity to fill up their vacant positions as well as provide a one-stop-shop to those who may be needing their services.

The year-end job fair is an annual undertaking of the province in support of the provincial government’s continuing implementation of the “Task Force Trabaho” program to create more jobs for locals.

For its bedrock employment programs, at least PHP5 million has been allocated for the hiring of nurses in the province, and over PHP1.2 million has been released for its livelihood program.

Latest records show that Ilocos Norte’s employment rate remains high at 92.5 percent through the provincial government’s interventions and programs that ensure all residents remain safe and can provide for their families in the midst of calamities and crises. (PNA)