PH, Korea Forge Eco-Shipbuilding Skills Training Alliance

DOLE Secretary Francis N. Tolentino met with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute on September 4, 2026, to discuss a training center for eco-friendly shipbuilding in Zambales. (Photo courtesy: DOLE-IPS)

PH, Korea Forge Eco-Shipbuilding Skills Training Alliance

By Jerome Aning – TheNATIONWEEK.com | September 8, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday said it is spearheading an initiative to enhance the Filipino workforce’s capabilities in the burgeoning eco-friendly shipbuilding sector. This strategic move, born from discussions with a South Korean private company and a government agency last week, aims to establish a specialized training center in Zambales. The goal is to cultivate a globally competitive workforce poised for the future of maritime innovation.

Secretary Francis N. Tolentino recently convened with representatives from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI) and the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) at the DOLE Central Office. The pivotal meeting, held on September 4, 2026, focused on the proposed training center’s feasibility, implementation, and areas requiring Philippine collaboration.

“We recognize the urgency,” Secretary Tolentino affirmed, “especially with the upcoming ASEAN convenings. DOLE and TESDA will expedite the agreement’s mechanics and details. We are fully committed to this endeavor, which will significantly bolster the Philippine shipbuilding industry.” He underscored the Philippines’ existing strong pool of workers, ready for advanced development through this partnership.

This collaborative engagement is designed to lay the foundation for a robust training program. It will equip Filipino workers with relevant, industry-responsive skills to meet the evolving demands of eco-friendly shipbuilding, thereby creating quality employment pathways and strengthening the nation’s skilled workforce.

DOLE will act as the primary Philippine focal point for this Official Development Assistance (ODA) project, with TESDA serving as a key government counterpart for workforce development. HHI and KOMERI are currently undertaking the feasibility study, managed by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR). The study is slated for completion in the latter half of 2026.

This initiative directly aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s strategic emphasis on international cooperation to upskill Filipino workers and generate employment opportunities. The partnership with the Republic of Korea, specifically, champions skills and human resource development through shared technical expertise.

For DOLE, the proposed training center represents a vital opportunity to bridge workforce development with emerging industry needs. Through specialized training and capability-building, Filipino workers will be primed for skilled positions in a transforming shipbuilding landscape, contributing to a stronger national industry.

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