Business leader: Skilled labor shortage alarming

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine government should review its priorities in terms of producing workforce, as the country is facing a red flag in the availability of skilled workers.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) past president Philip Tan said industries like construction, manufacturing, and even the healthcare sector are now facing difficulties in hiring workers, because of attractive opportunities abroad coupled with the entry of high paying BPO companies.

Tan, who is also a metal-working industry leader in Cebu, and the founder of Wellmade Motors Development Corp., said BPO specifically is absorbing most of the available workforce. While the good, highly-skilled talents across industries, specifically hospitals, are now working for employers abroad.

If this is not going to be addressed, the Philippines is bound to face a severe economic imbalance, pushing its competitiveness index further down.

Earlier, Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute and Technology (SCSIT) (formerly Salazar Institute of Technology) president Alden F. Salazar said the Philippines has yet to introduce structured programs for skilled workers particularly construction.

Salazar said that with the construction boom in the Philippines, this should be complemented by equipping Filipinos with the appropriate skills for modern construction works.

Salazar also noted the current concern of construction workers across the country such as the importation of Chinese construction workers to the Philippines.

Tan added that even the medical institutions in Cebu are closing a number of beds due to the recent shortage of nurses and medical practitioners.

Tan is calling on concerned government agencies to seriously look into this alarming concern.