Take construction-related training courses, Labor chief advises high school graduates

MANILA, Philippines - Instead of taking up longer and expensive professional courses, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday advised graduating high school students to consider getting into construction-related training courses considered “hot” and qualify them to land in high paying jobs.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said a career in construction industry is considered hot at this time since it is expected to bring a tremendous job-generating potential for the next years.

Based on a study done by DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), Baldoz said, salaries of construction workers can even go up as high as P50,000 for highly-trained workers, while tuition fees for courses related to construction only cost about P3,000 to P15,000, depending on the duration and type of training.

“The study indicates that one does not need to shell out hefty cash for tuition fees in order to land a high-paying job,” Baldoz pointed out.

According to Baldoz, there are many construction-related jobs that pay well and favor experience and hard work, instead of degree.

 Among these jobs, which only require minimum training cost but guarantee a return of high income, Baldoz said are Computer Aided Design (CAD) operators, electricians, and metal fabrication technicians.

Baldoz noted that computer schools offer courses on AUTO CAD for 48 to 60 hours at a range of P4,500 to P5,600 training fee while salaries for a CAD operator at the entry level ranges from P10,000 to P24,000 per month, plus allowances, and other incentives.

She further noted that there are numerous opportunities for CAD operators since architectural and engineering designs are now mostly translated into detailed CAD drawings.

The labor chief reported that the training cost for electricians ranges from P3,000 to P5,000 in public technical-vocational schools and the entry level salary for electricians ranges from P8,000-P12,000 per month and may even go up to P15,000 per month for those highly-trained and experienced.

Baldoz said among all occupations in the construction industry, Filipino electricians are highly in-demand whether here or abroad due to their impeccable expertise in electronic wiring and maintenance of equipment, appliances, apparatus, and fixtures.

High school graduates interested in becoming welders or metal fabrication technicians, who earn a monthly salary of P8,000 up to P20,000, can avail of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute Scholarship Grant, Baldoz said.

Other in-demand occupations within the construction industry which require short term study but provide quick turnout of income are heavy equipment mechanic and operator; computer technician; pipe layer; steam fitter; rigger; machinist; and mason.