DPWH, Mapua caravan bridges ‘experience gap’ for fresh grads

Fresh graduates seeking to overcome the private sector’s “experience wall” flocked to the Intramuros Campus Gymnasium today as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) partnered with Mapúa University’s IDCALL for a specialized Career Caravan.

Organizers reported 130 applicants on Jan. 21, achieving 65 percent of the day’s 200-person target. 

The recruitment fair coincided with plenary sessions at AVR 2 with DPWH undersecretaries and Secretary Vivencio Dizon.

While national data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show a slight easing of the unemployment rate to 4.4 percent as of late 2025, young workers continue to face a precarious entry into the workforce.

On the ground, this reality manifests as  frustration known as the “experience gap.” 

Interviews with alumni at the fair revealed that private firms often require 3-5 years of experience or costly certifications (such as HACCP or GMP) even for entry-level roles, qualifications that recent board passers typically lack.

For many applicants, the DPWH is the solution, viewing the agency as a training ground that offers what the private sector largely withholds from fresh graduates: robust exposure and structured mentorship.

“Sino bang ‘di nakakaalam ng DPWH?” (Who doesn’t know DPWH?) one applicant said, emphasizing that a stint at the agency serves as a premium credential that “future-proofs” their resumes for subsequent career moves.

The Career Caravan remains open to all engineering graduates and licensed professionals until today at the Mapua Intramuros Gymnasium.