Skilled construction workers in demand until 2022 – DOLE

MANILA, Philippines – Electricians and other construction workers would be highly in demand in the next five years, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported over the weekend.

Dominique Tutay, DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) director, said the country is not producing a sufficient number of skilled construction workers.

“On the average, the demand from the market for construction is 200,000, but the supply is only 80,000,” Tutay said.

She further noted that of the 80,000 construction workers, only 24,000 are actively looking for employment.

“If you will deduct the 80,000 supply from the 200,000 demand, the result is the number that the market is looking for,” Tutay pointed out.

She identified the construction-related skills required by the local market as laborers, electricians, heavy equipment drivers and safety engineers.

According to her, the market needs not just any construction workers, but also those with the required specific skills and qualifications.

To address the shortage, Tutay said, the current supply of construction workers in the country must continue to undergo skills training.

She said the government is encouraging Filipino construction workers abroad to return and work in the country.

She added some local companies have expressed intention to hire Filipino construction workers who were displaced as a result of the oil crisis in Saudi Arabia.

But unless the country produces enough of them, construction workers are expected to be highly in demand until 2022, Tutay said.