SPECIALIZED SKILLS TO ADDRESS SHORTAGE
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Virgilio Espeleta says developing specialized skills is the answer to the shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry sees the need for holistic hands-on training to address the shortage of skilled workers needed to back the government’s Build, Build, Build program.
Virgilio Espeleta, CCCI president, said specialization of skills needed for construction work should be developed as soon as students finish the K-12 program.
“The chamber has a program in partnership with a German foundation that trains and accredits individuals who already finished schooling in K12 through a training module made with consultations with several players in the construction industry,” Espeleta said.
Espeleta said hands-on training, complete with equipment and seminars, is important to address the demand for skilled workers like plumbers, masons, carpenters and technicians in the country.
“We need to adapt to advanced techniques in our construction practices because what we were doing before is now rendered non-efficient. And we need to fast-track that, especially with high-rise buildings being constructed every day and the Build, Build, Build program in full implementation,” he said.
Espeleta said the demand is on a bigger scale, considering the country’s infrastructure budget to build bridges and roads. Since 2014, the CCCI has accredited around a hundred skilled workers under their partnership with the AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation.
“Hopefully, this solution will get picked up in the national level so we can develop an economy where businesses can afford to give higher wages to their workers,” he said.
He said it is only natural for skilled workers to seek better opportunities abroad because of the comparatively high pay, not only in the construction sector, but also among other professionals.
“We have to accept the reality. Companies abroad can pay more to our workers, our nurses and other professionals. It also has a social impact because these workers would be away from their families,” he said.