Philippines pilots green skills training for construction workers

The Philippines has launched a new master training program designed to equip construction workers with foundational green skills, including sustainable building materials, renewable energy, and climate-resilient design, according to a press release by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Held on 2-5 June 2026 in Manila, the program forms part of the ILO-Korea Partnership Programme on Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN. The initiative aims to prepare young Filipinos, especially those from low- and middle-skill backgrounds, for higher-paying and more secure jobs in the green and digital economy. Experts from construction firms, labor unions, environmental groups, and the academe completed the master training on Introduction to Green Construction Skills (IGCS). The newly trained master trainers will promote a common set of green competencies for construction-related training programs nationwide.

Construction is a key driver of job creation in the Philippines, accounting for nearly 10 per cent of the country’s workforce. It is identified in the National Green Jobs Human Resource Development (HRD) Plan as a strategic sector for creating green jobs. According to the ILO 2025 baseline study on skills in the Philippine construction sector, local demand for green construction remains limited due to slow adoption of green building practices, despite policies such as the Philippine Green Building Code. Industry studies revealed that green skills interventions mostly focus on advanced topics, while practical and entry-level green skills are often missing in technical vocational education and on-the-job training. ILO consultations earlier this year highlighted the need to clearly define green skills relevant to both workers and employers.

The IGCS course, developed with experts from the Korea Polytechnic University, prepares construction workers for fundamental green building concepts and techniques. It emphasizes designing and constructing buildings that maximize the use of wind and sun, reduce energy and resource consumption, and use eco-friendly materials suited to the local climate. The training covered carbon reduction, resource efficiency, sustainable materials, passive and active building design, renewable energy, and green building certifications. A series of pilot test runs will be conducted in July ahead of the full rollout across various regions in August. The course is envisioned to be adopted as a common competency across construction training programs.

“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 (NUBCW). Joshua Miguel Lopez, National Project Coordinator of the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme, noted that the training distilled sustainability into key capacities for construction workers in the green economy. Engineer Michael Gayona, Center Coordinator of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Green Technology Center, said green construction is a way of rethinking building performance across its full life cycle. Engineer Ronaldo Elepano, Jr., Immediate Past President of the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA), added that the foundational skills are relevant across industries including engineering, energy, transport, and business operations. Stakeholders agreed that green skills should emphasize work practices promoting energy and resource efficiency for all construction workers.

The ILO/Korea Partnership Programme’s Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN seeks to future-proof the region’s construction workforce, particularly the youth. In the Philippines, the project is implemented with the support of TESDA, PCA, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Construction Manpower Development Foundation. The newly certified master trainers are expected to integrate green competencies into construction-related training programs across the country. Pilot runs in July will precede the nationwide rollout planned for August. The program aims to align Filipino construction workers with the demands of a climate-resilient and sustainable built environment.