PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - As an effort to reduce poverty rates in Bandung City, the Bandung City Manpower Office (Disnaker) is holding the 2024 Job Fair at Graha Manggala Siliwangi on November 6-7, 2024.

This activity opens up opportunities for job seekers by providing 2,433 job vacancies from 46 companies for various levels of education ranging from Elementary School, Middle School, High School/Vocational School, Diploma, to Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

Acting Mayor of Bandung, A. Koswara, appreciated the efforts of the Manpower Office in facilitating job seekers through this job fair.

"Until this year, almost 9,000 job vacancies have been opened by entrepreneurs in Bandung City. Through this activity, we are targeting to reach more than 10,000 job opportunities next year. Of course, it will support the progress of the business world in our city," said Koswara.

According to the latest data, the open poverty rate (TPT) in Bandung City has decreased to 7.4 percent from 8.83 percent in 2023. Despite the decline, the figure is still above the West Java average, which is currently around 6 percent.

Koswara emphasized the importance of the role of job fairs in bridging job seekers with workforce needs. In this activity, job seekers can gain a comprehensive understanding through the New Bimma Bandung application which has provided complete information employment services.

"We hope that the people of Bandung City can more easily obtain information on job vacancies and the competencies required by companies," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the Bandung City DPRD, Toni Wijaya, also hopes that this job fair can absorb more workers.

"This job fair is one of the real steps of the Bandung City Government in an effort to overcome poverty. We from the Bandung City DPRD really appreciate this event, which is expected to provide a positive contribution to the quality of the workforce and the city's economy," he said.

In the same place, the Head of the Manpower Office, Andri Darusman, said that this job fair activity is also part of the post-COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery program.

The poverty rate in Bandung City, which had reached 11.46 percent, is now showing a decline thanks to various employment programs, such as job fairs held twice a year, namely in June and November.

"Through this job fair, we hope that more job seekers from Bandung City can be absorbed according to their respective needs and competencies. In addition, we also support companies to find quality workers," said Andri.

To date, more than 8,000 job seekers have registered through a hybrid system that combines the New Bimma online application with direct face-to-face meetings on site. (Bandung City Communications and Information Service/Fauziah)