The Top 10 Philippine universities that have caught the attention of employers in their quest for fresh talent have been revealed by the online job search platform JobStreet by SEEK. Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) has claimed the top spot, outperforming top-tier schools such as the University of the Philippines (UP) and De La Salle University (DLSU).
Other universities that made it to the hiring preference best-of-list include the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Mapua University, Batangas State University, University of Mindanao, University of Cebu, Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP), and STI College. The survey, conducted in May 2023, extended over 42 industries and involved over 700 companies of diverse sizes from JobStreet by SEEK’s hirer base. The results were announced on June 29.
- PUP graduates, accounting for 23.39% of hiring preferences, are preferred by employers who view them as effective team players.
- UP and DLSU, capturing 9.17% and 6.88% of the preference share respectively, gained traction due to their reputation and industry alignment.
- UST at 5.28%, Mapúa at 3.44%, and Batangas State University at 3.21% claimed the fourth, fifth, and sixth spots, respectively, in the rankings.
- University of Mindanao (2.29%), University of Cebu (2.06%), Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) (2.06%), and STI College (2.06%) rounded out the top 10, each contributing more than 2% to the overall hiring preference.
These 10 higher education institutions have been recognized for their consistent efforts in aligning their academic programs with the specific needs of various industries, fostering graduates who are ready to face the real-world challenges of the workplace.
The sectors actively recruiting from these universities reveal some key trends:
- PUP and UP graduates are heavily recruited by Information Technology, Human Resources, and Call Center/BPO industries.
- DLSU graduates find opportunities within Healthcare, Information Technology, and Property/Real Estate sectors.
- UST’s talent pool is a favorite amongst Call Center/BPO, Business Consulting, and Hospitality sectors.
- Mapua Institute of Technology alumni are targeted by employers in the Construction, Information Technology, and Telco sectors.
- Batangas State University graduates are being recognized in Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Engineering industries.
- University of Mindanao graduates are chosen by hirers from Education, Public Service, and Media sectors.
- University of Cebu graduates are favored in the Maritime, Energy, and Tourism sectors.
- TIP graduates are sought after in the Research, Science, and Technology sectors.
- STI College graduates are preferred in the Entertainment, Arts, and Retail sectors.
The survey’s findings indicate that employers’ preferences are not random; they consider specific factors such as a school’s alignment with its industry, reputation, and the level of hard work displayed by its graduates. However, more subtle factors such as a candidate’s self-esteem, location, and alumni status also play a part in the hiring process.
Philip Gioca, JobStreet by SEEK Country Manager, hopes the survey will enhance the job search process. He states, “We hope that the insights shared through this survey can help in improving connections between job seekers and employers.” He stressed that candidates should focus on honing their unique qualities and strengths as these are the primary determinants of hireability and career growth.
In its first-quarter report for 2023, JobStreet said 78% of Filipino jobseekers feel positive and confident about work prospects. Meantime, JobStreet’s #ProjectCombat is helping shield online job seekers from scam threats.
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