The Career Fest organised as part of the 13th State Vocational Expo in the city on Thursday turned out to be a hit despite initial hiccups. The number of registrations for the fest crossed 3,600, with around 900 candidates gaining placements. “The turnout and placements are a record in the history of Career Expo. Only 500 to 700 job aspirants turned up for the previous editions, and placements were just around 400,” career fest convenor C. Zakaria told The Hindu .
The fest was organised for those who had passed out of various vocational higher secondary schools in the State. They were offered jobs at public and private sector units in trades they were skilled in.
“Firms are invited for the fest based on their locations. The participation had been mostly local in previous years. However, people from across the State turned up for this year’s fest,” Mr. Zakaria said.
Incidentally, the situation was chaotic in the forenoon at the Government Model Higher Secondary School ground where the fest was held. Job aspirants, especially those who had completed VHSE in trades such as agriculture and livestock management, were disappointed as there were only a few companies recruiting them. Of the 35 firms that had agreed to participate in the recruitment process, only 20 were present in the forenoon. More than 40% of registrations were for agriculture and LSM trades. However, only one firm was recruiting them. Some job aspirants, especially those from far-off districts such as Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, were a disappointed lot as they were offered jobs as LIC agents and receptionists at automobile firms.
However, it was an entirely different story in the afternoon when more firms turned up and recruitment soared. As many as 32 firms participated, and most of them were from automobile and healthcare sectors.
Life Insurance Corporation of India and AM Motors recruited around 100 candidates each, while Muthoot Bankers recruited around 80. D-Tech, an engineering firm from Kannur, offered the highest salary of ₹30,000.
However, aspirants were not entirely happy, as some firms were yet to be launched and were recruiting in advance. Large number of candidates had to return without landing jobs. “We have made a database of job aspirants and passed it on to the firms. They will resume recruitment as openings arise,” Mr. Zakaria said.
