A new initiative to meet Cebu’s twin challenges of climate change and unemployment has been launched. The Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), supported by the global finance services firm J.P. Morgan, introduced ‘Project sustainABILITY‘ on May 29, 2024 in Cebu City.
This project is a collaborative effort between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and other government agencies.
Its aim? To train the youth in “green skills” that will empower them to find meaningful work in the growing green economy.
Green Jobs
Green-skilled Filipino graduates can look forward to promising employment opportunities. According to TESDA’s 2018 labor market assessment, the growing green industry sectors are projected to generate an additional 5.1 million jobs by 2025. It added, “Unfortunately, the curricula of most Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVis) do not incorporate the necessary green skills in the courses they offer, which contributes to a shortage of a green skilled workforce.” This gap is the reason Project sustainABILITY was launched.
Through the initiative, at least 20 technical-vocational institutes (TVIs) will be equipped to train over 750 instructors, who will then train 12,000 students. This will provide valuable career exposure to the students, and enhance the instructors’ teaching and career guidance skills, particularly in Metro Manila and Cebu.
The green industry encompasses a wide range of jobs, from construction, metals and engineering, automotive and land transportation, all the way to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
Double Duty
According to Vidal Villanueva III, TESDA’s deputy director general for special concerns, the project also seeks to protect the environment by revisiting the training regulations and ensuring that the curricula taught to students are consistent with sustainability and green technology. This includes reviewing agricultural practices taught in TVIs and addressing environmental pollutants in the construction sector.
“So that we can inculcate to the minds of our learners and our students that by using a green technology, dili na kinahanglan nga ma damage pa ang environment after we do the construction,” Villanueva said. (So that we can inculcate in the minds of our learners and our students that by using green technology, there will be no need to damage the environment after we do the construction.)
He notes that this approach allows them to “change directions” and avoid further damaging the environment. Macatulad also said that to guarantee the long-term success of the project, the team is developing comprehensive curricula and learning materials. This strategic move will extend the project’s influence beyond its initial timeline, creating a lasting impact.
Pilot Areas
Project sustainABILITY was first introduced in Taguig, NCR in April 2024, and is now making steady progress, thanks to the collaborative efforts of ASSIST, national and local government agencies, Philippine trade associations, and industry partners.
Macatulad also said that the selection of Cebu as a pilot area, alongside NCR, is a deliberate choice, as these are recognized as the “most developed urban areas” and “economic powers” of the country.
Source: ‘Green skills’ training program to combat climate change, unemployment launched in Cebu