For millions of Filipinos, taking the first step toward a fulfilling career relies on having access to viable opportunities near their homes. Demonstrating its enduring commitment to national workforce development, SM Supermalls recently celebrated a major national milestone with the hosting of its 500th SM Job Fair.
By integrating face-to-face recruitment drives with technical-vocational upskilling initiatives in partnership with key government agencies, SM Supermalls continues to transform its extensive shopping mall network into accessible hubs for employment, career advancement, and economic mobility.
500 Job Fairs: Connecting Talent with Opportunity
On August 12, SM City Daet officially hosted the landmark 500th SM Job Fair. Since its inception, the program has connected approximately 330,000 jobseekers with thousands of local and international employers nationwide. Crucially, these efforts have resulted in more than 42,000 applicants hired on the spot (HOTS).
Organized in close collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), local Public Employment Service Offices (PESO), and various industry leadership groups, the SM Job Fair framework bridges the gap between hiring companies and local talent pools. The venue caters to a diverse range of applicants—including fresh university graduates, breadwinners, career shifters, and seasoned professionals looking for their next milestone.
The impact was further broadened on August 18 at SM City Fairview, where the dedicated SM Group Job Fair allowed jobseekers to apply directly for positions across the conglomerate's retail, banking, and property sectors.
For May Stephanie, a recent graduate who secured a job at Savemore during the event, the direct interview process made all the difference: "Masaya po kasi mahirap maghanap ng work lalo na pag fresh grad ka," she shared, highlighting how accessible venues shorten the path from job hunting to earning a sustainable livelihood.
Bridging Technical Skills and Career Pathways with TESDA
Recognizing that long-term employability requires continuous skill evolution, SM Supermalls teamed up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) during National Tech-Voc Day. On August 24, the World Café of Opportunities (WCO) brought together over 1,000 jobseekers and 54 participating employers at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, offering more than 4,000 vacant positions.
The event combined job matching with interactive, hands-on demonstrations in high-demand fields such as HVAC servicing, autonomous robotics, professional driving, animation, and barista training.
A central feature of the event was the launch of the TESDA Skills Compass—an innovative career guidance platform designed to map individual technical competencies directly to real-time market demands.
Employer partners underscored the necessity of certified technical training. "Nakatulong po talaga ang TESDA hindi lang sa mga naghahanap ng trabaho, kundi sa aming mga employers din," noted CJ Bajamunde, HR Assistant at SMC Repairs and Maintenance, reaffirming the industry's demand for job-ready, certified personnel.
Empowerment Beyond Recruitment: September Schedule
SM’s commitment extends well beyond traditional job fairs. Through strategic partnerships, SM Supermalls has provided free upskilling opportunities to over 1,600 learners in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital literacy, and cybersecurity. Furthermore, integrated SM Government Service Express (GSE) centers across select malls serve as convenient locations for processing essential pre-employment documentation and government transactions.
Building on August’s momentum, SM Supermalls announces a comprehensive nationwide job fair and upskilling schedule for September 2026:
Key Job Fair Locations: SM City Sto. Tomas (Sept 1), SM City Manila (Sept 3), SM City Sta. Mesa (Sept 4), SM City Butuan (Sept 7–8), SM City Iloilo & SM City Davao (Sept 8–9), SM City Baguio (Sept 9), SM City Cebu & SM CDO Downtown Premier (Sept 9–10), SM City North EDSA, SM City Zamboanga, & SM City Trece Martires (Sept 10), SM City La Union & SM City San Pablo (Sept 12), SM Center Antipolo (Sept 14), SM Seaside City Cebu (Sept 16–17, 22–23), SM City Calamba (Sept 23), and SM Center Pulilan & SM City Bacoor (Sept 24).
Specialized Upskilling Sessions: Scheduled at SM City Trece Martires (Sept 10 & 24), SM Center Sangandaan (Sept 12), and SM City North EDSA (Sept 12).
(Note: Schedules and participating partners may be subject to change.)
About SM Supermalls – Job Fairs
SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators, managing 90 malls in the Philippines and nine in China. Through its nationwide job fairs and community initiatives, SM Supermalls leverages its physical presence to support inclusive growth, connecting talent with industry leaders across the country.
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