THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday said it will focus on programs that will help produce more workers in sectors with high demands, such as information technology (IT), healthcare, and construction.
In a statement, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said they want to immediately address the lack of workers in the said sectors due to high demand.
“The Department will continuously implement programs addressing job-skills matching in order to expand employment opportunities in sectors with high demands, such as IT, healthcare, and construction,” said Laguesma.
“Such initiatives aim to make the workers’ skills more appropriate and attuned to the needs of the investors,” he added.
The labor chief said they would closely coordinate with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in providing workers with new skills.
“We will continue programs that will provide support to workers, especially the youth, in order to guide them to a better working future,” said Laguesma.
He said they intend to tap the opportunities provided under the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act.
“With the help of the private sector, we will strive to have an inclusive labor market that will provide fair and quality employment opportunities for all,” said Laguesma.
DOLE issued the statement after the number of unemployed workers rose to 3.9 percent last October 2024 from 3.7 percent in September.
The latest Labor Force Survey showed that the underemployment rate rose to 12.6 percent in October 2024 from 11.9 percent in September.
