THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is strengthening partnerships with industry and government agencies to expand job opportunities and improve Filipino workers' global competitiveness.
DOLE said that the initiatives aim to generate quality employment and equip workers with future-ready skills as industries adopt new technologies and work practices.
Under Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, DOLE recently partnered with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI) and the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (Komeri) to establish a Training Center for Eco-Friendly Shipbuilding Specialists in the Philippines.
The center is expected to generate green jobs and support workforce upskilling in the shipbuilding industry, DOLE said.
DOLE teamed up with the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (Ibpap) to improve youth employability in the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector through the JobStart Philippines Program.
JobStart provides core and soft skills training, industry-specific technical training, and internship opportunities aligned with labor market needs, according to DOLE.
A contact center representative interviewed by the department said international partnerships help workers develop digital skills and adapt to changes in the industry.
"International partnerships greatly help in developing the digital skills of workers because they provide an opportunity [for us] to keep up with new technologies, systems, and ways of working used in other countries," the representative said in Filipino and English.
"This also helps us become more adaptable and competitive in the global workforce, especially with the rapid changes in the information technology and call center industry," he added.
DOLE also strengthened its collaboration with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) through a Data Sharing Agreement to improve the processing of foreign employment permits and PEZA visas for foreign workers.
The labor department said the agreement supports the administration's “green line initiative” by expediting government processes.
DOLE said it will continue implementing programs to enhance workers' employability, foster innovation, and strengthen industry linkages to keep Filipino workers competitive in the global labor market.
