Philippines Pushes Green Skills Training for Construction Workers

Consultations conducted by the ILO earlier this year highlighted the need for a clearer understanding of what green skills mean in day-to-day construction work.

The Philippines is stepping up efforts to prepare its construction workforce for a greener future as climate change and increasingly severe natural disasters place greater pressure on the country's infrastructure and communities. Construction remains one of the country's largest employers, providing jobs for nearly 10 per cent of the workforce. It has also been identified as a priority sector for creating green jobs under the National Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan.

Industry Faces Shortage of Practical Green Skills

A 2025 baseline study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) found that demand for green construction skills in the Philippines remains relatively limited, partly because green building practices are still being adopted slowly despite policies such as the Philippine Green Building Code. The study also found that many existing training programmes focus heavily on advanced subjects, including green building standards and project management, while practical skills needed by workers on construction sites often receive less attention.

Consultations conducted by the ILO earlier this year highlighted the need for a clearer understanding of what green skills mean in day-to-day construction work. Stakeholders agreed that energy efficiency, resource conservation and environmentally responsible work practices should become core skills for all workers in the sector.

New Training Programme Targets Workforce Transformation

To help bridge these gaps, experts from construction companies, labour organisations, environmental groups and academic institutions recently completed a master training programme on Introduction to Green Construction Skills (IGCS). The training, held from 2 to 5 June 2026, forms part of the ILO-Korea Partnership Programme on Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN.

The initiative focuses on helping young people, particularly those in low- and middle-skill occupations, gain access to better-paying and more secure employment opportunities within the growing green economy. The newly trained master trainers are expected to promote a shared set of green construction competencies that can be incorporated into training programmes across the country. Pilot training sessions are scheduled for July, with a broader rollout planned in August.

Building Sustainability Into Everyday Construction

Developed with support from experts at Korea Polytechnic University, the IGCS course introduces workers to core green building concepts and practical construction techniques. Training topics include carbon reduction, sustainable materials, renewable energy, resource efficiency, passive and active building design, and green building certification systems.

Participants are taught how to design and construct buildings that make better use of natural sunlight and ventilation while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.

Industry leaders involved in the programme believe these skills extend beyond construction and can benefit sectors such as engineering, transport, energy and business operations.

The programme is being delivered in the Philippines with support from TESDA, the Philippine Constructors Association, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Construction Manpower Development Foundation.

As the country works to strengthen climate resilience and expand green employment opportunities, the initiative is expected to play an important role in preparing the next generation of workers for a more sustainable construction industry.