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Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region and seven (7) Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) has closed partnership which aims to assist students and fresh graduates.
On 26 August 2024, DSWD FO CAR represented by Regional Director Maria A. Catbagan-Aplaten, PhD signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the respective officials of the different academic institutions including Abra State Institute of Science and Technology (ASIST), Apayao State College, Baguio School of Business and Technology (BSBT) College, Baguio Central University (BCU), Kalinga State University, University of Baguio (UB), and the University of the Cordilleras (UC).
The partnership aims to strengthen the collaboration between the agency and the academe to aid in the improvement of recruitment, selection, and placement practices of the DSWD FO CAR. Through the MoU, the academe will assist the Department in disseminating its job vacancies as well as in filtering the applicants by providing reliable character reference. Meanwhile, the DSWD FO CAR is expected to participate in Career Guidance activities or information dissemination drive relative to the DSWD’s mandates, and programs and services which will help the students in their career choices.
Aside from this, the partnership further enhances the Student Internship Program and introduces the Student Interns Bridging Program. While the internship program has already been established to provide learning opportunities for students, the Student Interns Bridging Program opens a chance for qualified interns to be employed by the DSWD FO CAR. The student interns may be allowed to be endorsed to entry level positions and other positions that are commensurate with their qualifications following the current human resource guidelines of the Department.
“The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region is committed to enhancing its recruitment strategies by forging strong partnerships with colleges and universities. These collaborations aim not only to streamline the filling of vacant positions within the agency but also to offer valuable career development opportunities for graduates and alumni. We seek to bridge the gap between academia and the workforce, ensuring a continuous influx of qualified and dedicated professionals ready to serve the community. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with our esteemed partner institutions signifies more than a formal agreement; it represents a shared commitment to fostering the next generation of social workers and leaders. It is a symbol of our collective mission to inspire, nurture, train, empower, recruit, and network” Director Aplaten said in her message.
Since April 2023, the DSWD FO CAR has already established its partnership with 26 educational institutions to cover linkages on workforce development, recruitment, and implementation of internship program.
This initiative is part of the Field Office’s efforts to achieve the Civil Service Commission’s Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) Level III which aims to promote efficient and outstanding human resource practices. The DSWD FO CAR has been already awarded the Maturity Level II in all four (4) areas- recruitment, selection and placement; learning and development; performance management and; rewards and recognition. #DSWD FIELD OFFICE CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, NERIZZA FAYE G. VILLANUEVA-TRINIDAD