Of the 447 applicants from the different towns in Bohol , Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries Co.-Philippines picked out 308 to join the workforce for its shipbuilding project eyed in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, in Zambales province. Hanjin interviewed the applicants during the special jobs fair conducted on December 27 and 28 last year at the Bohol Cultural Center . Pending completion of documentary requirements, the 308 applicants who qualified for work at the shipbuilding project will leave for Subic Freeport Zone on the last week of January and are expected to report at the jobsite on February 1, according to Bohol Employment and Placement Office (BEPO) Chief Romulo Tagaan in his report to Governor Erico Aumentado on the result of the recent special jobs fair. They will fill up the positions of welders, electricians, plumbers, crane/lift operators, engineering staff (electrical, mechanical and marine) and administrative staff for its human resources, warehouse management, procurement and data encoding departments.

BEPO had earlier tasked PESO managers in the 47 municipalities and Tagbilaran City to gather applicants by conducting skills registration starting late October last year. BEPO then consolidated the lists of qualified applicants that the PESO managers from different municipalities submitted. The skills registration activities came up with 401 male and 46 female applicants. BEPO then presented the consolidated list to Hanjin for the special jobs fair. Hanjin needs an initial 8,000 skilled workers for the 2008 operation and 20,000 direct employees by the time the project reaches the peak operation. Hanjin had earlier conducted recruitment activities in the Luzon area, and has recently scanned through Visayas. (Aida Tanghal and Angeline Valencia/PGMA)