by admin | May 26, 2017 | News and Events
Quezon City, Philippines – The Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) held its annual conference in the Philippines at the Ateneo De Manila University on May 22 – 24, 2017, with the theme “Customizing Career Services: Issues and Challenges”. SFI Group leader Mr. Luis Alberto Anastacio, a proud member of the prestigious career development association, presented the organization’s career development advocacies and programs in the Philippines through a learning session entitled, “Integrative Career Development Program for the Philippines”, which the organization’s key people attended.
Dr. David Reile, President of the National Career Development Association (NCDA) flew in from the United States to attend. University of Santo Tomas Counseling and Career Center director Dr. Lucila Bance was also in the session, together with Association of Placement Practitioners of Colleges and Universities (APPCU) Ex-Officio Dr. Conchita Concepcion and Dr. Changhua Rich of American College Testing (ACT). Kuder representatives Mr. Bailey Rowell and Mr. Kelvin Tan were also present to support Mr. Anastacio’s sharing of best practices in implementing large-scale career development programs in the country. In addition, Dr. Brian Schwartz and Mr. Allan Gatenby of Success Partners and Institute of Career Certification International (ICCI) were also present in the learning session.
Dr. Josefina Santamaria keynoted the conference on the first day, May 22, 2017. She discussed Career Planning in the Philippines in retrospect and in prospect. Dr. Santamaria shared the highlights of career planning in the Philippines, beginning in the 1950s, as well as the past efforts to address this need, and future challenges as perceived by college students and employees in entry-level jobs in the Philippines today.
Selected speakers facilitated the breakout sessions and panel discussions in the morning and in the afternoon. Topics discussed included best practices in career guidance and counseling, career assessments, adjunct career theories and practice, career resilience, issues and problems in career development practice, research in career development, mental health and program development. Kuder later hosted a dinner buffet for the APCDA participants at the Rizal Library Hall. The guests enjoyed the company of each other as select Ateneo students of Ateneo welcomed them with Filipino dance numbers.
Dr. Regina Hechanova’s keynote address on the second day of the conference moved the participants. She touted the workforce of the future and its implications on the present. More specifically, she gave palpable insights on workforce trends that will influence the workforce in the future, the impact of issues such as political and economic shifts, diversity issues, and technological changes in the workplace. She stressed that as new work designs and organizational structures become more common, the employee engagement and the mental health of workers are likewise affected. Dr. Hechanova predicted that how these issues will be dealt with will provide important implications for career development and management.
In line with this, the breakout sessions and panel discussions followed. The topics included best practices in career development, LGBT career counseling, career development prospects, career services in the 21st century context, and career guidance and the K-12 curriculum. The application of selected career theories to practice, integration of technology in career practice, and the role of parents in career development of children were also discussed. Some speakers mentioned the importance of research and scientific writing to career development practice, the career soft skills, and innovative techniques in career assessments in their respective learning sessions.
On the last day of the conference, Dr. Jim Bright delivered the keynote address on his life’s work, the Chaos Theory of Careers. Dr. Bright has developed a chaos- and complexity-based theory that provides an account of the complexity of influences on career development, the nature of change and unplanned events, as well as the limiting factors and emerging patterns in individual careers. The said model has implications on leadership, creativity, and occupational stress, particularly through his Beyond Personal Mastery model. Prior to his address, the learning sessions in the morning tackled career adaptability, career self-efficacy, career development branding, and program efficacy reports presented by the selected APCDA members.
Representating the SFI Group were its President and CEO Mr. Anastacio, SFI CareerCenter director Ms. Gina Jusay, and SFI CareerCenter Career Coaches Mr. Richard Monteverde and Mr. Erick Atilano.
by admin | May 22, 2017 | News and Events
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – SFI CareerCenter (SFICC) sponsored an exhibit at the 53rd Annual conference of the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association (PGCA), Inc. held May 17-19 of this year at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay.
The conference welcomed approximately a thousand members of the PGCA, advocates of career development, guidance counselors and practitioners across the Philippines.
“Advocating Change, Healing Lives” became this year’s theme. Plenary and learning sessions highlighted counseling practices as well as current issues and trends in counseling services and programs that cut across a variety of indigent population.
Dr. Carmelo Callueng of the Rowan University of New Jersey delivered the keynote address on the morning of May 17, discussing Mental Health in Schools: Policy and Advocacy to Advance Counseling and Research in the Philippines.
Mr. Antonio Tinio facilitated the plenary sessions that followed the keynote. Dr. Dinah Palmera Nadera presented a backgrounder on the Philippine Mental Health Situationer and Dr. Maria Regina Hechanova, RPsy on the development of community based relapse prevention program “Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad”, while Mr. Paolo Trinidad energized the participants through his Laughter Therapy for Guidance Counselors.
Candidates for the PGCA board member election were introduced before noon, with affiliates casting their votes until the 2nd day of the conference. On May 18, Carmencita Salonga, Eduardo Caligner, Evangeline Aguilan, Arsie Lumiqued, Jr. And Christopher Hernandez and Ricardo Guanzon were announced as the new board members.
Other sets of plenary and learning sessions were organized for the succeeding two days of the conference. Director Dominique Tutay of the Department of Labor & Employment’s Bureau of Local Employment discussed Career Advocacy in the Philippines, Fr. Joselito Sarabia shared insights on the Counseling Needs of the Grieving Children and Families of EJK (Extra- Judicial Killing) Victims and Senator Risa Hontiveros discussed the recently signed Philippine Mental Health Law. Other guest professionals also discussed their studies and insights in breakout sessions.
Aside from the local speakers, the PGCA committee also invited delegates from different countries who are also board members of the Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA). Professor Narender K. Chadha, PhD shared insights on his study, “Existing Counseling Services in India and Futuristic Approach to Strengthening”, and facilitated a learning session on Career Orientation Styles and Counseling Practices. Dr. Brian Hutchison on the other hand discussed Trauma Informed Care in Schools during his plenary session and led a Career Intervention Workshop Using Narrative and Value-Based Techniques for the learning session.
There were also paper presentations of recent studies done by selected PGCA members on the afternoon of the May 18, second day. Questions and clarifications were acknowledged after each researcher discussed their study.
The SFI CareerCenter occupied one of the booths in the plenary hall, where the souvenir kits were given away. The team also welcomed inquiries on the company’s advocacies, programs and services. Director Gina Jusay oversaw the booth and its activities, with Senior Program Officer Richard Monteverde, Program Specialist Erick Atilano, HR Specialist Abigail Coladilla, and Training Assistants Antonio Tomenio III, Gellyn Inocencio and Jane Pones comprising the core team at the booth. Registrations for interested practitioners and advocates were opened at the booth.
by admin | Mar 20, 2017 | News and Events
Manila, Philippines – SFI Group’s leader, Mr. Luis Alberto A. Anastacio delivered the keynote speech for the 39th annual conference of Career Development Association of the Philippines (CDAP) at the Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle, Arellano Ave., corner Estrada Street, Manila.
This year’s theme was “Riding the wave of change: Responding to career development issues and challenges.” His speech focused on developing and implementing evidence-based and collaboration-based career guidance services for Out-of School Youths (OSYs), students, trainees, employed and unemployed.
Mr. Anastacio highlighted the important role of Registered Guidance Counselors (RGCs) as well as the Career Advocates in providing relevant career development services to the youth and how these practitioners would be helped to address the issues and concerns brought about by the implementation of the K – 12 to the different stakeholders of the workforce (e.g., students, schools, guidance counselors, career advocates, educational managers, governments, and industries).
Issues and challenges discussed were: (1) finding qualified people for work (skills gap and mismatch), (2) providing career development services by practitioners, (3) lacking of RGCs and Career Advocates to provide relevant and up-to-date career development services, (4) building 21st century skills of the workforce, (5) implicating important points of the Career Guidance Advocacy Program (CGAP) and R.A. 9258 or the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004, and (6) providing up-to-date labor market information for career guidance initiatives’ use.
Advocacies of SFI Group were also linked with the issues and challenges examined and these are: (1) Accredited Career and Talent Development Professional (ACTDP) for the capacity building program for both licensed and non-licensed Guidance Counselors and Career Advocates; (2) Institute of Career Certification International (ICCI) for international accreditation body for Career Development practitioners who would be of support to the dearth of Registered Guidance Counselors and their responsibilities to their clienteles; (3) Kuder Visions Unlimited for online career discovery, career pathing and career management tools for kids, students and adults; and (4) SFI Group’s complete Career Development program for individuals seeking career, talent and transition management services.
These advocacies were based on the successes of SFI Group’s workforce development programs such as the ACT Efficacy Study, the JobStart Apprenticeship Program and the Philippine TalentMap Initiative (PTMI).
The speaker emphasized CDAP’s pivotal role as the lead organization advocating career development not only in the country but also ASEAN and APAC regions; and SFI’s esteemed local and international partners such as DOLE, World Bank, Suzhou Success Partners, Ltd., and Kuder Visions Unlimited to provide full-fledged career guidance interventions in addressing the challenges discussed.
By the end of the speech, Anastacio encouraged the different stakeholders to (1) use SFI’s TalentMap program for assessing employability skills of the workforce and for building labor market information, (2) build career pathways for career development practitioners using ACTDP and ICCI programs as recognized by CDAP as continuing education program provider of PRC for professional counselors and career advocates; (3) use of end-to-end career guidance interventions for the different categories of workforce; (4) provide appropriate up-to-date career information and skills training to those in need; and (5) integrate employment facilitation program in the career guidance interventions, to include apprenticeships and actual work experience for the OSYs and adult unemployed.
The speaker stressed that SFI Group’s advocacies would not be possible without the garnered support from the partnerships and collaboration efforts built all these years.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together (an African Proverb)….. together we can achieve more, said Anastacio as he challenged the CDAP delegates and the panel of reactors, Dr. Carmelita Pabiton, RGC, member of Professional Regulatory Commission – Board for Guidance and Counseling, Ms. Teresa Ang, RGC, VP for Academics of Concordia College and Ms. Love Basillote, MAEd, Executive Director of Philippine Business for Education.
Dr. Pabiton, in her response, supported Mr. Anastacio’s contentions and discussed its in-depth implications to career guidance in the K-12 curriculum. Ms. Teresa Ang and Ms. Love Basillote likewise gave their insights regarding the keynote speech and provided opportunity to situate career development practices and labor market information’s implications in the academe and industry settings.
Meanwhile, the keynote was delivered in the morning while plenary sessions and concurrent workshops were facilitated within the remaining slots of the two-day conference.
The afternoon session of the conference was facilitated by Mr. Richard P. Monteverde; Dr. Brian Schwartz, and Mr. Luis Anastacio. Topics discussed were the implications of Philippine Talent Map Initiative (PTMI) in the Career Readiness of the 21st century workforce and the proposed ACTDP capacity building and ICCI certification programs for career development practitioners and for professionals who would like to practice career development in the country.
Ms. Patricia Acepcion, the PTMI Head and VP for Sourcing and Recruitment of SFI Group joined the three speakers as she facilitated a question and answer portion of the session.
The second day was facilitated by Mr. Miguelito Relente, RGC, University Counselor of Far Eastern University – Manila and Program Chair of 39th CDAP conference; and Mr. Angelito G. de Guzman, Vice President for Human Resources of Glaxo SmithKline, Philippines who delivered concurrent sessions in the morning. Mr. Relente’s talk was about adapting a US-based career development tool for the Asian Setting – The Knowdell Approach while Mr. De Guzman’s was Managing Transitions: Riding the wave of change.
The afternoon session, on the other hand, was facilitated by Dr. Sheila Marie G. Hocson, RGC, RPsy, RPm, CCOP, CASP, Guidance Director of Far Eastern University, and Ms. Estesa Xaris Que-Legaspi, RGC, PhDc, Vice-Chair of Counseling and Educational Psychology Department, De La Salle University Manila. Dr. Hocson talked about handling career indecision across ages while Ms. Que-Legaspi on reviewing career theories for career guidance use.
Present in the conference were Dr. Luzviminda Guzman, Chairperson of Professional Regulatory Board for Guidance and Counseling of PRC, Dr. Josefina Santamaria, President of Career Systems, Inc., and CDAP Founding President, Ms. Sonia Mendoza, CDAP Board, Ms. Maria Juanita Jose, CDAP President, and Mr. Jose Alejo, CDAP Vice President.
International partners were also there to support SFI Group: Dr. Brian Schwartz, Founder and Chairman of Suzhou Success Partners Management Consulting Co., Ltd., and Kuder Visions Unlimited’s Mr. Bailey Rowell, Vice President for International Client Engagement, Mr. Patrick Bourgeacq Pinzón, International Relationship Development Professional of Kuder, and Mr. Kelvin Tan, International Business Development Associate.
A booth for SFI Group was also set during the 2-day conference. It was operated by SFI Career Center’s Ms. Gina Jusay, Director, Ms. Abigail Coladilla, Career Coach/Program Specialist, and Mr. Erick Atilano, Career Coach/Program Associate, to facilitate the inquiries of the delegates regarding SFI Group’s advocacies.
by admin | Jul 30, 2016 | News and Events
What is new for SFI CC in January 2012?
1. Official Assessment Partner of POEC for International Internship Application
Pearl of the Orient Educational Consultancy (POEC) is a premier company who connects students and professionals to different international internship programs. Their 10 years of internship placement experience and wide network of organizations has allowed them to give Filipinos the opportunity and advantage to not just only learn but also earn overseas.
Just recently, POEC and SFI CareerCenter has formed a partnership to strengthen their international internship program with our employability programs. We are its official assessment partner where in we ensure that students and professionals get to know the qualifications and competencies they need in order to be successful in their internship. Employment Transition Programs were also created so as to provide support after they’ve come back from their fruitful internship experience.
2. Job Coaching Fair with Recruitment Partners SFI Group of Companies
Rolling out different activities for the New Year, SFI CareerCenter is dedicated in providing JobHunters the unique opportunity to seek the job they want through its Job Coaching Fair. Through our recruitment partners, Servicio Filipino and Business Trends, we would like to provide job hunters a 360 degree feedback of their job hunting strategies and offer them a unique advantage from the rest: career coaching.
Aside from that, we also offer FREE public seminars about making your FIT resume and how to prepare for interviews. So come and visit our center every Wednesday this month and we’ll help you map out your career plan!
3. Assess yourself: prove you are the best in your field
Ever wonder how to prove to people you are the best of the best? Sometimes, it is not enough that you studied in a famous school or has earned a distinction during graduation. It really is a matter of showing that you have what it takes to do the job. SFI CareerCenter’s Employability Assessment Validation does that for you. You get to take an exam that tells you if you have the skills for the job you are applying for. Not only that, you can be registered in our growing international database where employers can see the bankable skills you have. Moreover, if you feel that you want more skills, we have the tools to help you build yourself up to look good, feel good and perform better in your career. Sign up for your Assessment Now and see the difference!
4. Upcoming Employability Seminars!
SFI CareerCenter sees itself as a total solutions provider for individuals seeking career advancement and development, so in light of this, we are proud to offer Employability Workshops to help the Filipino people get the skills they need to not only be employable but also the empowerment to live up to their life purpose.
by admin | Apr 20, 2016 | News and Events
All it takes is a blank wall and ideas come to life.
This was how SEAMEO INNOTECH revolutionized their 14th International Conference held in Quezon City, Philippines. With the theme, “A better future for every learner in Southeast Asia,” participants experienced an innovative and deliberate approach in problem solving and decision making – the Open Space Technology.
The two-day conference from December 8-9, 2015 empowered the youth, educators, and development leaders to speak out their thoughts on issues they are passionate about, specifically on improving the quality of education in the region. With 150 delegates representing 15 countries, more than 80 topics were created (which eventually was narrowed down to 53 topics) filling the place with dynamic and interactive conversation sessions.
Conversations focused on the need for quality education, improvement of school facilities, challenges in learning the English language, technology in education, and the like. Other issues discussed include equal educational opportunities for the out-of-school youth (OSY), children with disabilities, and children with special needs. Life skills, career readiness, and employability skills also caught the attention of the group.
After all the discussions made and action plans established, 7 major topics were selected and drafted for the Youth Education Agenda. These are: (1) ICT in Education, (2) Values Education for 21st Century Learners, (3) Youth ASEAN Integration, (4) Improving Leadership Skills, (5) 21st Century Teaching Learning in Global Setting, (6) How can we improve health and nutrition including sanitation facilities in schools, and (7) Equal Access of Out-of-School Youth, Adults and Indigenous People for Quality Education and Improving Life Skills and Work Readiness for Out-of-School Youth.
Key officials from the education sector have been invited to listen and respond to the major agendas drafted by the participants. Dr. Steve Anzalone, Senior Vice President of Education Development Center (EDC) applauded the unique albeit “chaotic” process of Open Space Technology. Commissioner Earl Saavedra of the National Youth Commission (NYC) highlighted institutionalization and sustainability through capacity building, advocacy programs, policies and convergence. Secretary Armin Luistro of the Department of Education challenged the participants to go beyond what the government can offer and initiate change within themselves.
“What are you willing to sacrifice for others to live and survive?”
This was just one of the many questions Secretary Luistro raised during the conference. The real question, however, is how the participants will bring home these issues and translate them into a vision that can bring about transformative change in other people’s lives.
by admin | Apr 19, 2016 | News and Events
Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Mindanao – Armed with a blessing from DOLE-BLE, SFI Group presented the project details of the Philippine TalentMap© Initiative (PTMI), among the twenty five (25) PESO managers from the different field offices in the Philippines. The project is an initiative that will be conducted by SFI Group, in coordination with DOLE-BLE and PESO field offices (FOs). Seventeen (17) cities within the National Capital Region (NCR) will be participating in the pilot implementation, while the selected provinces will be on the roll-out.
Mr. Luis Alberto Anastacio, President and CEO of SFI Group of Companies acquainted the participants on the philosophical underpinnings of the initiative vis-à-vis the current trends and issues of the workforce. He has also given snippets of the other projects conducted by SFI Group in Bataan and shown how important the linkage is among schools, industries, local government units (LGUs) and communities in implementing a program to address the issues and problems of the present workforce. Ms. Gina Jusay, Programs and Operations Head of SFI Career Center, strengthened the statements of Mr. Anastacio through the presentation of the steps, procedures and specifics of the project. Meanwhile, Mr. Richard Monteverde, Senior Career Coach and Head Researcher of SFI Group answered a few questions regarding the initiative’s end-in-mind, together with Mr. Anastacio.
After the activity, reactions on issues like funding benefactor(s), schedule of implementation, partnerships with schools and other institutions, management of multiple workloads, were among the concerns raised by some of the key individuals from the PESO group. Nevertheless, everyone was looking forward for the project’s roll-out to some of the provinces. To show their excitement, some even shared valuable insights on how the project can build upon the findings, specifically be replicated and implemented on a wider scope and be contextualized, in consideration with the scope and limitations of some localities.
Finally, Ms. Vissia Marie P. Aldon, current President of the PESO Map Inc., and PESO Manager of Makati field office, thanked the guests from SFI Group and affirmed the project’s pilot and roll-out, NCR-wide and province-wide, respectively.
