PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Manpower Agency (Disnaker) is once again holding the 2026 Job Fair as a concrete step to reduce unemployment and encourage local economic recovery. This event serves as a strategic bridge to connect job seekers with the needs of the ever-growing industry.

The next job fair will be held at Teras Sunda Cibiru 17 on Saturday, April 25, 2026. This event will feature 3,528 job openings from 19 companies ready to employ workers.

The Head of the Bandung City Manpower Office, Yayan Ahmad Brilyana, said that the job fair was held due to the still high open unemployment rate compared to the national average.

Furthermore, there is a gap between job seekers' competencies and the increasingly dynamic needs of the industrial world, particularly post-pandemic and amidst the acceleration of digital transformation.

"This job fair is not just a recruitment event but a real solution to match industry needs with existing workforce potential," said Yayan during a talk show on Radio Sonata in collaboration with PR FM, Tuesday (21/4).

According to him, this year, dozens to hundreds of companies from various sectors are participating. Manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and food and beverage continue to dominate the labor demand.

However, the digital sector and creative industries such as information technology, digital marketing and startups are also showing significant growth.

Overall, there are thousands of job openings available covering various levels from entry level to experienced positions.

This opens up wide opportunities, especially for fresh graduates and vocational school graduates who are one of the main targets for workforce absorption.

Beyond job openings, the 2026 Job Fair also features various supporting programs, including career counseling, CV training, coaching clinics, and seminars on industry trends. These programs are designed to enhance job seekers' preparedness and competitiveness in an increasingly competitive job market.

The company also ensures that all participating companies have undergone a rigorous verification process to ensure the legality and transparency of job postings. They even provide a complaint channel to protect the public from potential fraud.

Although open to the public, residents with Bandung City ID cards still receive priority in accessing information and mentoring programs as a form of the local government's responsibility towards its people.

Yayan admitted that the biggest challenge currently is the mismatch between workforce qualifications and industry needs. Furthermore, unequal access to information and rapid changes driven by technology are factors that must be continuously addressed.

"Going forward, digital skills, communication, and adaptation will be key to ensuring the workforce survives and thrives," he said.

He also urged the public to prepare themselves as best as possible before attending a job fair, starting from application documents to understanding the company they are applying to.

"The job fair is the first step. The most important thing is to continue learning and developing skills to be competitive in the job market," he said. (Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)