Intensify labor market education: official

QUEZON CITY -- Labor market education is important to future-proof the next generation of Filipino workers.

Undersecretary for Workers Protection and Internal Auditing Ciriaco Lagunzad of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it is crucial to lay down the foundation of 21st century skills to ensure

that current and subsequent members of the labor force will be able to compete globally and cope with the demands of the future of work.

“Providing our youth with timely and accurate labor market signals would enable them to prepare and harness their potential to its fullest by establishing strong foundations during their education,” Lagunzad explained during the Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC) organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies this year.

He said DOLE issued its Labor Information Report 2022 to guide students in making informed career decisions and help career advocates, career counsellors, and training institutions to come up with strategies that will increase the potential of current and future members of the Philippine workforce.

The DOLE official added that a good labor market information will “effectively link skills demand and supply”, which could lead to “good decisions” and “benefit individuals, businesses, and the economy”.

Apart from automation, Lagunzad said the government should be wary of the drastic changes in the overall business landscape, such as new work arrangements and emerging jobs. He pointed out that these evolutions may require upskilling, reskilling, and retooling of the workforce through technical, vocational, and educational training programs.