Online job platform Jobstreet by SEEK held its MSME Summit to help jobseekers and micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners improve hiring and business operations.
The event, organized with SM for MSMEs at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, gathered MSME owners and industry leaders to discuss common challenges, hiring concerns, and ways to improve business processes. Sessions covered marketing, logistics, digital tools, and finance.
MSMEs make up 99.5% of registered businesses in the Philippines and generate 6 out of 10 jobs. Despite their role in the economy, many still struggle to hire qualified workers.
A 2024 survey by the Boston Consulting Group and the Department of Trade and Industry found that 72% of MSME respondents want to expand their workforce, and 82% want to upskill current employees. However, 46% said they face a talent shortage because it is difficult to find qualified candidates.
“Jobstreet by SEEK believes that every thriving economy is built on the shoulders of its resilient and growing MSMEs,” said Dannah Majarocon, managing director in the Philippines, Jobstreet by SEEK. “By empowering them through events like the MSME Summit, we are not only helping their businesses grow and connecting them with the right talent but also fueling job creation and strengthening local employment.”
The company encouraged MSMEs to use legitimate hiring platforms to avoid scams that often appear on social media. Jobstreet by SEEK said secure platforms help protect a business’ reputation and connect employers with active jobseekers.
MSME owners were also introduced to “SMEasy sa Jobstreet,” a free and simple job posting feature on the platform. The tool allows businesses to post job ads and reach candidates within Jobstreet’s nearly 14 million registered users nationwide.