Job fair sees low turnout of aspirants on Day 2

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 16

The mega job fair being held under the state government’s coveted ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar’ initiative at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU) proved to be a damp squib on the second day as it witnessed a low turnout of aspirants.

Of the total 70 companies listed for the day, only 28 turned up at the fair.

Surprisingly, for the total 939 vacancies for different job profiles, 629 candidates appeared for interviews. Of them, 352 were selected. As 42 companies did not turn up to conduct the interviews, visibly disheartened job aspirants were seen returning their homes.

Similarly, on the first day of the fair, a total of 434 candidates registered for 404 vacancies. Of the total 21 companies listed for the day, five did not turn up to conduct interviews.

At the helpdesk, members of the organising committee of the job fair were seen saying repeatedly “the company did not turn up”. They also asked the candidates to give the interview conducted by other companies with matching profiles or eligibility criteria. While some of them applied in other firms, many candidates preferred to return without giving the interview.

Sources in the employment bureau attributed the low turnout to low salaries being offered by the firms. Some company are of the view that they are not getting candidates who can meet the eligible competence level required for job profiles. They said a majority of the candidates lack practical knowledge.

Sources said the require qualification for most of the jobs was up to 10th standard and it could be another reason for the low turnout.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (D), Sakshi Sawhney, said, “Initially, we got a good response with the maximum candidates appearing for the interviews and being selected in reputed firms. Indeed, the turnout on Saturday remained relatively low and weather conditions could be the reason behind it.”

She said, “We are looking for the exact cause as to what held job aspirants back to visit the job fair on Saturday. This is a really good opportunity for semi-skilled candidates to be placed in the unorganised sector. After getting experience, they can switch to the organised sector with better salaries in future.”