SM Job Fair marks 500th milestone, expands access to jobs and future-ready skills

 SM Job Fair marks 500th milestone, expands access to jobs and future-ready skills

OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN REACH. Across SM malls nationwide, jobseekers are finding new ways to connect with jobs, skills, and brighter possibilities.

For thousands of Filipinos, finding the right job begins with having the right opportunity within reach. SM Job Fair marked a major milestone while widening access to employment and skills development—from celebrating its 500th nationwide job fair and bringing SM Group employers directly to communities, to working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to connect technical-vocational training with careers. Together, these initiatives reflect SM Supermalls’ continuing commitment to make the journey from preparing for work to finding meaningful employment more accessible to Filipinos.

500 JOB FAIRS—AND COUNTING! 

On August 12, SM City Daet hosted the 500th SM Job Fair, marking an important milestone in SM Supermalls’ nationwide jobs advocacy.  As of its 500th Job Fair, the program has connected around 330,000 jobseekers with thousands of employers nationwide, resulting in more than 42,000 applicants hired on the spot (HOTS). Behind those numbers are individual journeys—from fresh graduates looking for their first break and career shifters starting again to breadwinners and experienced professionals taking their next step.

500 JOB FAIRS, THOUSANDS OF NEW BEGINNINGS. At SM City Daet, a nationwide milestone became personal as another jobseeker walked away hired on the spot.

Through partnerships with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), local Public Employment Service Offices (PESO), employers, and industry organizations, SM continues to use its nationwide mall network to bring jobs closer to communities.

FROM OPPORTUNITY TO EMPLOYMENT AT THE SM GROUP JOB FAIR

The momentum continued on August 18 at SM City Fairview, where the SM Group Job Fair connected jobseekers with career opportunities across the SM Group. 

Applicants met recruiters face-to-face, explored vacancies, submitted applications, and underwent interviews in one accessible venue—simplifying the hiring journey while helping participating companies meet potential talent from the community.

ONE STEP CLOSER TO A CAREER. Jobseekers meet SM Group recruiters face-to-face, turning applications and interviews into possibilities for a fresh start.

For fresh graduate May Stephanie, the search for her first job ended with good news when she was hired by Savemore. “Masaya po kasi mahirap po maghanap ng work lalo po pag fresh grad ka po.” Her experience reflects the human impact behind every successful match: a chance to begin a career, earn a livelihood, and build toward a more secure future. 

FROM SKILLS TO OPPORTUNITIES WITH TESDA

SKILLS IN ACTION. Hands-on training turns learning into practical skills that can open doors to the workplace.

As industries evolve, Filipinos need both access to jobs and the skills to succeed in them. Last August, SM Supermalls and TESDA brought the World Café of Opportunities (WCO) to SM malls nationwide in celebration of 2026 National Tech-Voc Day, connecting technical-vocational graduates and jobseekers with employers and industry partners.

READY FOR WHAT’S NEXT. From technology to creative skills, Filipino talent gets hands-on experience for an evolving world of work.

At the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on August 24, more than 1,000 jobseekers met 54 participating employers offering more than 4,000 job opportunities. Job matching was complemented by skills demonstrations in HVAC, autonomous robotics, driving, animation, and coffee barista—showing how practical training can translate into workplace readiness.

For Jeff Justine Geraga, a BS IT student at the University of Makati who took Computer Systems Servicing through TESDA, gaining additional skills has helped strengthen his confidence in a competitive job market. 

“Definitely tumaas ang value ko dahil may added skills ako from TESDA, more opportunities for me. Requirement na po ang upskilling dahil competitive po ngayon.”

A key highlight was the launch of the TESDA Skills Compass, a career guidance and job-matching platform that helps Filipinos explore career pathways and connect their competencies with in-demand jobs. For some participants, the connection between skills and employment became immediate. 

After traveling from Mindoro in search of work, Cristyl Faith Robles was hired on the spot as a barista at French Baker.  

“Masaya po kasi last week pa po kami nag-aapply ng work kasi galing pa po kami sa Mindoro... Para po ito sa magulang ko at sa kapatid ko para matulungan ko po siya sa college.”

Employers also recognize the value of skills-based training. CJ Bajamunde, HR Assistant at SMC Repairs and Maintenance, shared that TESDA training and certifications are among the qualifications the company looks for when recruiting skilled workers. 

 “Nakatulong po talaga ang TESDA hindi lang sa mga naghahanap ng trabaho, kundi sa aming mga employers din.” 

Through the World Café of Opportunities, SM and TESDA are helping turn skills into employability—connecting training, talent, and industry needs in ways that can lead to meaningful

careers.

LEARNING THAT MOVES PEOPLE FORWARD. Free upskilling brings future-ready knowledge closer to learners in SM communities.

MORE JOBS AND SKILLS THIS SEPTEMBER

The momentum continues this September as SM Job Fair brings another nationwide lineup of employment activities to SM malls, complemented by government career opportunities and upskilling sessions with partners.

SEPTEMBER JOB FAIR SCHEDULE

• September 1 – SM City Sto. Tomas

• September 3 – SM City Manila

• September 4 – SM City Sta. Mesa

• September 7–8 – SM City Butuan

• September 8–9 – SM City Iloilo

• September 8–9 – SM City Davao

• September 9 – SM City Baguio

• September 9–10 – SM City Cebu

• September 9–10 – SM CDO Downtown Premier

• September 10 – SM City Trece Martires

• September 10 – SM Center Muntinlupa

• September 10 – SM City Tuguegarao

• September 10 – SM City North EDSA

• September 10 – SM City Zamboanga

• September 10 – SM Center Muntinlupa

• September 12 – SM City La Union

• September 12 – SM City San Pablo

• September 14 – SM Center Antipolo

• September 14 – SM CDO Downtown Premier

• September 16–17 – SM Seaside City Cebu

• September 22–23 – SM Seaside City Cebu

• September 23 – SM City Calamba

• September 24 – SM City Trece Martires

• September 24 – SM Center Pulilan

• September 24 – SM City Bacoor

*Schedules, venues, and participating partners may be subject to change.

UPSKILLING SESSIONS

Jobseekers and learners can also take advantage of upskilling activities scheduled throughout the month:

• September 10 – SM City Trece Martires

• September 12 – SM Center Sangandaan

• September 12 – SM City North EDSA 

• September 24 – SM City Trece Martires

MORE THAN JOBS

SM’s employment advocacy continues beyond recruitment. Through partnerships with government agencies, educational institutions, and industry organizations, SM Supermalls has provided free upskilling opportunities to more than 1,600 learners, covering artificial intelligence, digital literacy, cybersecurity, and other emerging workplace competencies. In select malls, SM Government Service Express (GSE) also brings essential government services closer to communities, with selected locations serving as Upskilling Hubs.

From reaching the 500th SM Job Fair to helping a fresh graduate land a first job, and from gaining a technical skill to finding where it can lead, August demonstrated what can happen when employment, learning, services, and strong partnerships come together.

THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY STARTS HERE. Beyond the 500th milestone, SM Job Fair continues to connect more Filipinos with employers and possibilities closer to home.

And as SM Job Fair moves beyond its 500th milestone, the work continues—helping more Filipinos find jobs, build relevant skills, and move toward better futures closer to home. To learn more about upcoming SM Job Fairs and free upskilling opportunities, visit the SM Supermalls website or follow SM Supermalls’ official social media pages.

EVERY CONVERSATION CAN OPEN A DOOR. Jobseekers meet recruiters face-to-face at SM Job Fairs, taking another step toward their next career opportunity.

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About SM Supermalls – Job Fairs

SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and nine in China. For generations, SM has grown alongside Filipino communities by creating destinations where people, businesses, and opportunities come together.

Through SM Job Fairs, SM continues to evolve with the aspirations of Filipino jobseekers by making employment opportunities more accessible across its malls nationwide. Designed for diverse jobseeker communities—from fresh graduates and career shifters to experienced professionals—SM connects talent with employers through meaningful partnerships that support workforce development and inclusive economic growth. My SM. Your Most Loved Supermall.