IN A MOVE to redefine the transition from classroom to career, Joji Ilagan International Schools (JIIS) officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and SeeMeSol on February 2 at the School Odeum of the T.H.E. IMS Building. The occasion also marked the formal launch of the JIB-ACE (Alumni and Employment Excellence System).
This collaboration represents a significant milestone for the academe, signaling a shift toward tech-driven, data-informed strategies to ensure graduate success in an increasingly volatile job market.
More than just a database, the JIB-ACE system is a comprehensive ecosystem for career development, integrating SeeMeSol’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) recruitment solutions as the school aims to create a seamless pipeline between its graduates and industry leaders.
”Through this collaboration, we institutionalize data-driven curriculum feedback, career development interventions, and stakeholder engagement that will directly enhance the employability of our graduates and the success of our alumni,” said Nicole Nina H. Ledesma, chief operating officer of JIIS.
Ledesma emphasized that more than a static agreement, the signing is a “working alliance anchored in labor market intelligence, skill relevance, and student-centered career pathways.” She added that the goal is to build a resilient, future-ready talent ecosystem.
The partnership comes at a critical time. As technology moves faster, the gap between traditional education and industry requirements has increasingly widened. Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy, DOLE regional director, highlighted the necessity of agility in the modern labor market.
”We envision a program that can tightly link academic preparations with real-time industry needs,” Pensoy stated. He noted that this alignment is particularly vital for the tourism and hospitality sector, a cornerstone of the Davao region’s growth.
Central to the JIB-ACE launch is the technology provided by SeeMeSol. The platform focuses on digitizing the supply of talent, making it easier for employers to find the right fit through a specialized portal.
David Padgett, founder and managing director of SeeMeSol, explained their platform’s practical benefits for students.
”Our portal will go live very quickly, allowing students and alumni to create profiles, leveraging some AI tools to do some skills assessments, language assessments, and the like,” he explained.
By bridging the divide between education and employment via a digital platform, JIIS ensures that its graduates are not just degree-holders, but industry-ready professionals equipped with the right information and skills.
