Contractors initiate training to deal with manpower crisis

Having felt the worsening impact of the shortage of skilled manpower in the construction industry in today’s robust economic environment in Cebu, Cebu Contractors Association Incorporated strongly considers appropriate skills training as an effective solution to counter this problem.

To offset the negative effects of the huge number of skilled workers going abroad, CCA held this year a series of skills training program that were sponsored by several suppliers of their construction materials.

The trainings included workshop sessions on carpentry, masonry, steel and rebars, and plumbing among others and it was ran for a monthly basis asking only a minimum amount for training fee.

“The shortage has been very acute and since we cannot stop them from living the country for greener and more financially rewarding pastures we might as well have the initiative to replenish the shortage,” said CCA president Charles T. Sy in an interview with The Freeman.

Sy have pointed out that next year they are going to invite several possible investors to Cebu who will consider investing on the training programs for the workers. “Hopefully when they get eventually trained and they go overseas, some will still remain in the local industry,” said Sy.

The impact of the shortage has since been felt in the early 90’s and Sy stressed that it has dwindled down for a while during the Asian crisis as economies have gone down and construction demand was scarce. 

 But he pointed out that these days, due to the aggressive economic activity that trickles down to a promising year for the construction industry, the impact of the shortage is much more felt.

“The shortage has been very difficult to define because usually there are many applicants for the job however they do not have the required skills. The demand of the industry is specific to their skills because it has to be defined. In terms of supply there is more than enough but in terms of quality is not sufficient so there is a mismatch between the demand of the industry and the supply of workers,” Sy explained.

He further recommended that, “private sector should make a strong effort to put up training centers so that the unemployed segment of the community will find job opportunities in the industry that will help address the shortage.”

He also added that the local industry should also consider sponsoring scholarship grants to their workers so they can be assured of a steady stream of skilled and competent workers.

Sy discussed that TESDA is training workers but their graduates are not enough to sustain the demand of the industry.

“Once people are properly trained, then we can already be able to address the problem on the shortage and unemployment and the industry should also make the effort to make sure that the trainings to be given will fit to the demand of the industry.”

The Cebu Contractors Association is currently composed of 80 company members.