Philippines' construction sector tackles youth skills gap amidst digital and green shift

share on twitter / facebook / linkedin / more sharing option email telegram whatsapp wechat pinterest line snapchat reddit As the sector embraces digital and green transformation, a new initiative aims to equip young workers with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and green construction skills, in efforts to open up access to emerging job opportunities. The Philippines’ construction sector, one of the country’s largest employers, is undergoing a “twin transition” toward digital technologies and sustainable building practices. Without targeted training, many young workers risk falling behind, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). On 25 March 2026, a Partnership forum on DigiGreen construction skills was held in Quezon City, bringing together government, industry, and training institutions to address this skills gap. Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines, noted: “Our focus is to ensure that training programmes are accessible, especially for youth from low-to medium-skill backgrounds, who stand to benefit the most from these new job opportunities.” The initiative emphasises two key training areas: Building Information Modeling (BIM) and green construction skills. BIM is a digital tool that aims to enable more efficient and sustainable building design and management, and is increasingly required for large-scale projects in countries such as Korea, Singapore, and Dubai. Its adoption in the Philippines is expected increase pro...