THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry urged companies to hire more K to 12 graduates, saying they were well-trained to take on jobs.

“When the K-12 was created, its purpose was to produce. Meaning, if you are a K-12 graduate, assuming it was implemented well, you are OK, you are ready for a job,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said.

He added that it is false to believe that those without a college degree are unprepared to join the workforce.

“The mindset today is that you are not well-formed in preparing for a livelihood or in your life if you do not have a college degree, which is totally an erroneous mindset,” he said.

Pascual urged firms to reassess their hiring practices and consider dropping the requirement for a tertiary degree for some entry-level positions.

The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education. Those in junior and senior high school are trained to master concepts and skills and prepare them for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.