1-M vacancies seen opening in IT-BPM, ‘green’ sectors
Over a million vacancies from the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) firms, “green” industries, and other sectors are expected to be facilitated by the government in the next six years, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Over a million vacancies from the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) firms, “green” industries, and other sectors are expected to be facilitated by the government in the next six years, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
DOLE said these will be part of the comprehensive labor and employment plan, which is now crafted as part of the new Philippine Development Plan (PDP) of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
“Our target time frame [to complete the plan] is before the end of the year as the plan will require consultations with stakeholders, particularly labor and employer sectors,” Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma told the BusinessMirror in an SMS.
He said they will initially submit the plan to the government’s economic team before it can be acted upon by Marcos.
The plan is expected to address issues on employability, provision of decent work, and promotion of green jobs.
During the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Forum held by the government economic cluster on Tuesday, Laguesma disclosed the emerging and growth industries, which are expected to become key employment generators in the coming years.
IT-BPM support
Among such sectors are agriculture, tourism, construction, as well as the IT-BPM sectors.
“With the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, reverted to the fold of the Department of Labor and Employment, we will concentrate vigorously in coordination with the other departments who are presently here in the stage to upskill workers and answer to the needs and requirements of emerging and growth industries,” Laguesma said.
He noted the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines [IBPAP]committed to open an additional 1 million jobs up to 2028.
“They (IBPAP) also committed they would be able to produce more with total and complete government support. And we are committed to help them by providing them support,” Laguesma said.
As part of DOLE’s assistance to the IT-BPM establishments, Laguesma said there will be the amendment of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11165 or the Telecommuting Law to address the needs of the said industry.
Green jobs
Laguesma said they will also push for green jobs as part of Marcos’s initiative to provide more employment and address the climate change crisis.
“We would like to aggressively promote greening of jobs in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources because we believe they are able to address the issues on climate change and produce not only more jobs, but also quality jobs,” Laguesma said.
In its JobsFair report, DOLE identified several green occupations, which involve energy, pollution management, environment preservation and climate mitigation.
Some of the said occupations are Solid Waste Management Equipment Operator, Recycling Worker, Solar Technician, and Urban Gardener.
During his first SONA last Monday, Marcos said he expects the mainstreaming of renewable energy in the country such as solar, hydropower, geothermal, and wind are expected to produce more local jobs.
DOLE, however, said jobs for that sector will require highly skilled workers.