GPCCI President Stefan Schmitz welcomed representatives from the construction industry to an online forum on Enhancing Workforce Skills in the Construction Industry: A Shared Responsibility. The GPCCI-organized forum, which is part of the Future Movers Programme, highlighted the importance of private-sector engagement in addressing skills gaps and supporting career pathways. Mr. Schmitz pointed out, that the construction sector, despite the economic decline in 2020, is still seen to recover and grow. “The construction industry is supported by the government's "build, build, build" development program which will still carry on to 2025,” Schmitz said. “This means that there is a prevailing need to address the challenges of shortage of workers, productivity, and skills,” he continued.
Mr. Schmitz’ statement was echoed by forum speaker Architect Ramon Abiera, Director of Infrastructure and Construction Focus Group, who talked about the importance of aligning skill training with the Industry Roadmap 2020–2030. Mr. Noel Elgincolin, Talent Acquisition Manager of Holcim Philippines Inc., furthered this view by sharing Holcim's “Cement Technology Training” designed to provide employable skills for the Filipino youth while supporting Holcim's business operations and expansion. Mr. Salic Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of MARADECA Inc, a civil-society organization working with people in the affected areas of the Marawi City siege, talked about the potential for local employment brought about by rebuilding efforts, while pointing out the room for improvement in locally available skills training programs.
Stakeholder dialogues to identify skills needs and training opportunities for young people are an important part of the Future Movers Programme. The approach was institutionalized through the Industry Placement Committee (IPC), which GPCCI heads. The IPC, modelled after GPCCI's Vocational Training Committee (VTC), is a consultative body of industry representatives, members of civil society organizations, and technical vocational institutions.
“I am happy to see that the VTC structure could be applied to the Future Movers Programme,” said GPCCI Vocational Training Committee (VTC) Chairwoman, Daniela Gasper, as she awarded certificates of appointment to the six members of the IPC. “The exchange among those stakeholders is very important to identify and train skills that are demanded by the industry,” she added.
The Future Movers Programme contributes to the up-skilling and right-skilling of youth in post-conflict Marawi by improving access to inclusive Vocational Education Training.