iTrabaho.com links talent pool to IT jobs

A new Web site seeks to help the local talent pool find jobs in  Information Technology  that best fit the qualifications of the applicant.

The Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (CEDF-IT) has partnered with New Media Group to develop the site called iTrabaho.com.

Jun Sa-a, CEDF-IT executive director, said they had planned to implement the project five years ago but were looking for the right partner.

“We’ve  always wanted  a job site to complement our advocacy in  CEDF-IT of  human resource training, and linking with the academe to address the gap between industry needs and the products of our universities. The next step should be helping them look for a job and iTrabaho.com can do that,” Sa-a said.

John Kim of New Media Group together with local web developers made sure the  site had  innovative than made it different from other job search Web sites.

They tapped the  popularity of smartphones so  job seekers can post their applications by  sending a text message.

“We  wanted to simplify the process. It allows you to create your profile with a very simple format. It also has an option for an applicant to ‘follow’ their preferred companies for job postings so that they can simply text ‘apply’ if they get any notification through text of an available job that they like,” Kim said.

Sa-a said that CEDF-IT was helping Kim market the site to foundation members, who include business process outsourcing companies, the academe and graduating students so they can create their profiles in the jobsite.

“We are launching the site and introducing it  to target clients. We are trying to build up a database in Cebu and different provinces,” Kim said.

Sa-a said the partnership could help new locators find the right pool of talents to start their operations.

“The income that we get from this endeavor will also be used to finance projects  lined up for the future,” Sa-a said.

They also plan to conduct more free technical training for new graduates

Kim said they were planning to expand the project to cover other parts of the country, and eventually areas abroad.

“We are also hoping to expand outside the country soon through a site we call Ezresu.me with  iTrabaho.com as  as our pilot project,” he said.

Kim said they were holding talks with  interested parties in Korea and Singapore.

Sa-a said that the Call Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) was also interested to promote the site to its members.

“They see it as a good solution to help their members ,” said Sa-a.

In Cebu, there are about 50,000 employees in outsourcing companies like call centers and IT companies mostly occupying office spaces in Asiatown IT Park.

“With the site, we hope to help our jobseekers and push the employment rate higher.  This  will enable us to match existing talents with the best job that will fit them,” Sa-a said.