The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Friday, Nov. 15, that it will open an eco-friendly shipbuilding skills training center to promote sustainable practices in the Philippine maritime industry.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said the training center will be established in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI).
Laguesma, TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco "Kiko" B. Benitez, and KOMERI President Jung-Chul BAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last Tuesday, Nov. 12, formalizing their collaboration, with senior officials from the three agencies in attendance.
Funded by an Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant from South Korea, the training center will provide Filipino workers with specialized skills in eco-friendly shipbuilding, aligning with the shared sustainability priorities of both nations.
Laguesma emphasized that the project supports national goals outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028.
He expressed gratitude to KOMERI for its support, calling the training center a vital step toward a sustainable and resilient future in the maritime sector.
The MOU also creates a Technical Working Group composed of DOLE and TESDA representatives, who will work with KOMERI on conducting a feasibility study for the project.