Summary

The School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership, and Service (SKILLS) is a technical vocational institute operated by Primary Structures Educational Foundation Inc. (PSEFI) that offers formal senior high school education and short-term courses in construction

Background and Objective

In the Philippines, construction delays are commonplace due to a skills mismatch in the labor force. This has impacted projects ranging from the government’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure investment project to home reconstruction efforts after natural disasters. To address this job-skills mismatch in the construction sector of the country, PSEFI created the Assessment, Certification, and Accreditation System (ACAS), a mechanism which standardizes the skills and competencies required by the construction industry and partners with industry associations at a sub-national level. The ACAS pairs theoretical classroom and practical company-based experience to ensure quality certification is achieved.

Gender and Social Inclusivity

In a recent survey conducted by Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, it was revealed that homeowners rely primarily on neighbors and relatives for repairs and construction needs. These workers are often informally trained resulting in poor construction quality and houses that would likely not withstand the next major typhoon. The work of SKILLS can directly address these skill gaps. Low-income communities need access to professional, well trained skilled labor to build and improve their homes. It also expands not only the capability of homeowners in construction work to reduce costs in maintaining and/or re-building their own homes, but also increase their employability in the construction sector.

Innovative Initiative

A primary driver for the lack of skilled construction workers in the Philippines is the negative perceptions traditionally associated with construction work. SKILLS partners with industry and government players to change these perceptions by elevating the skill level and giving graduates more confidence in their abilities. SKILLS hopes to demonstrate that a platform like ACAS is a viable model for improving the skills match in the industry and for it to be adopted at the national level and influence policies pertaining to skilling of construction workers. Currently, SKILLS is also exploring partnerships with corporations to provide sponsorship for scholars, who they would later offer employment opportunities. Through its innovative collaboration with multiple stakeholders, skill set gaps can sustainability be addressed to support the construction needs of the country.