The Philippines is ramping up efforts to prepare its construction workforce for the green economy, with new training programs aimed at equipping workers with practical sustainability skills as climate-resilient building practices become increasingly important.
The construction sector, which accounts for nearly 10 percent of the country’s workforce, has been identified as a key source of future green jobs under the National Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan. Yet an International Labour Organization (ILO) study found that the industry’s transition has been slowed by limited adoption of green practices and a shortage of sustainability-focused training for frontline workers.
To address the gap, experts from construction firms, labor groups, environmental organizations, and academe recently completed the Introduction to Green Construction Skills (IGCS) master training program under the ILO-Korea Partnership Programme on Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN.
The initiative seeks to establish a standardized set of green competencies that can be integrated into construction training programs nationwide. Pilot runs are scheduled in July, with broader implementation expected in August.
“The transition must be worker-centred. All workers, from labourers and skilled workers to equipment operators and supervisors, must have access to training opportunities that improve their access to green jobs,” said Santiago Nolla, secretary-general of the National Union of Builders and Construction Workers.
The program covers practical skills in resource efficiency, sustainable building materials, carbon reduction strategies, renewable energy applications, and climate-responsive construction techniques.
The move reflects a broader labor market shift as industries increasingly demand workers with environmental and sustainability competencies. While green jobs are often associated with renewable energy and technology, construction is emerging as a critical battleground in the transition, given its substantial carbon footprint and growing role in climate adaptation.
By expanding access to green skills training, policymakers hope to future-proof jobs, raise workforce competitiveness, and ensure that Filipino workers are positioned to benefit from investments in sustainable infrastructure and low-carbon development.
