Carpenters are in demand in the local and foreign market due to the growing number of tourism- and real estate-related infrastructure projects here and abroad, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

Amy Judicpa, regional labor communications officer of DOLE 6 said that Project JobsFit: The DOLE 20/20 Vision released on November 27, showed that there are about 500 vacancies for carpenters, locally while there’s a demand for related jobs in the United States and Asia.

The demand will last in the next five to 10 years, she added.

“Our carpenters play a vital role in the construction industry in the Philippines especially in Region 6,” she said.

Thus, Judicpa said that DOLE will establish carpentry vocational schools to help strengthen the skills of Ilonggos.

The agency is already coordinating with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to offer carpentry training.

The few training institutions in the country that offer carpentry course are Abra Skills Development Center, Marcos Agro-Industrial School, Aparri School of Arts and Trades, Southern Isabela School of Arts and Trades, St. Anthony of Gubat, Sorsogon, Inc., Leon Ganzon Polytechnic College, Tagum National Trade School, Surigao State College of Technology, and Alcantara National Trade School.*