Recto: Establish Schools Near Manufacturing Hubs to Train Workforce

EXECUTIVE Secretary Ralph G. Recto urged the government and economic estate developers to put up schools inside or near manufacturing hubs to train workers for industries expanding in those areas and narrow the gap between education and employment. The move would help ensure companies have access to skilled workers as the Philippines seeks to attract more investment in higher-value manufacturing, Mr. Recto said on the sidelines of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s visit to the 1,100-hectare LIMA Estates in Batangas on Monday, based on a statement released by his office on Thursday. “Manufacturing hubs can double as incubation sites for the workforce they need,” Mr. Recto said. “The growing trend that locators now include schools, because industry-integrated campuses that link engineering and technology, means that graduates are directly absorbed by the companies who have had a part in their education.” He cited Batangas State University’s campus at LIMA as an example of an academe moving closer to industry. The campus welcomed 800 first-year engineering students last month. His remarks followed the Sept. 2 launch of the Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Roadmap, which seeks to move the sector beyond traditional assembly and manufacturing into chip design, engineering, research and innovation. The roadmap targets $110 billion in semiconductor and electronics exports by 2030. Mr. Recto said semiconductor and electronics hubs such as LIMA are key parts of the Luzon Economic Corridor, increasing the need for a highly skilled workforce. LIMA has attracted about P130 billion in investments from 200 firms employing 75,000 workers, he said. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking