Manila: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is partnering with Korean companies to advance innovation and improve the Filipino workforce's global competitiveness. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino recently collaborated with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI) and the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) to establish a Training Center for Eco-Friendly Shipbuilding Specialists in the Philippines, according to a Friday news release.

According to Philippines News Agency, the partnership is expected to generate green jobs and support workforce upskilling in the shipbuilding industry. Earlier, the agency also partnered with the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) to boost youth employability in the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector through the JobStart Philippines Program.

JobStart is one of DOLE's youth employment programs that provides core and soft skills training, industry-specific technical training, and internship opportunities aligned with labor market needs. The department also strengthened its collaboration with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) through a Data Sharing Agreement to improve the processing of foreign employment permits and PEZA visas for foreign workers, supporting the administration's 'green line initiative' by expediting government processes.

Under Tolentino's leadership, the DOLE continues to expand opportunities for Filipino workers by implementing programs that enhance employability, foster innovation, bolster industry linkages, and keep them competitive in the global labor market.