DOLE to help workers prepare for automation

By Samuel P. Medenilla, Businessmirror, May 30, 2018

The government is now readying measures to cushion the impact of automation, which could cause some 18 million workers to lose their jobs, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Citing the report of the International Labor and Organization (ILO), titled “Asean in Transformation,” the DOLE disclosed that the figure comprise 49 percent of the country’s 41.7 million work force.

In its report, the ILO stressed that its methodology does not predict the precise number of displacement, but merely the number of jobs that will be automated.

“The high-risk occupations/sectors in the Philippines to be affected by automation based on the ILO’s [report] are agriculture [fishery], construction [carpenter], and services [retail trade specifically in sales and administrative positions],” the DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Dominique Tutay told the BusinessMirror via SMS.

The DOLE said artificial intelligence, 3D and 4D printing, quantum computing and autonomous vehicles are some of the technologies that could reshape the manpower needs of a number of industries.

The government called this recent introduction of these production and operation implements as “Industry 4.0,” or the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

To prepare the country’s labor force for this, the DOLE said during its fourth National Career Advocacy Congress in Legazpi City, which was held during the weekend, that it is now in the process of beefing up its delivery of updated labor market information (LMI) to students and trainees.

“Access to information and guidance about the future careers available to young people is also an important factor in ensuring they are able to make the most of the opportunities that are available in the labor market today,” DOLE Bicol Regional Director Ezequiel R. Sarcauga said in his speech during the event.

Tutay said the DOLE has already released its Career Guidance Advocacy Plan 2018-2022 that would provide education and training institutions nationwide with “timely knowledge on the realities of the labor market.”

However, she said there is still a need to review existing development framework polices on career guidance to make sure the LMI will be effectively disseminated to its intended clients—students, teachers, job seekers, out-of-school youth, parents, training institutions, academe and Public Employment Service.

The BLE earlier said technical skills in courses related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) will be more in demand during the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Technologically adaptive skills refers to STEM coupled with critical thinking, problem solving and adaptability skills,” Tutay said.

Tutay added the BLE will support the drafting of a new bill that will create the National Career Development Center and Career Development Divisions in the government, academic and training institutions that will oversee career-related issues.

The proposed legislation will also calls for the recruitment of career specialists teachers and setting a career/job world “where children can be exposed to various types of career and appreciate the value of work.”