Holcim Philippines has intensified its corporate social responsibility program through training of masons as it has committed to help the government and its partners to enhance the skills of those in the construction industry.
The company, which has been implementing the Galing Mason Program since the 1990s, is hoping to train more masons to help the construction industry enhance the skills of its labor force, said William C. Sumalinog, company senior vice president for sales during the weekly Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape in Abreeza Mall.
“Our goal is not just developing cement but also increasing and developing capabilities of our skilled workers within the (construction) industry,” said Sumalinog.
He said training these workers enhance their productivity and also results in better implementation of projects as the industry needs more workers, not only in the regular privately owned projects, but the “Build, Build, Build” program.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia earlier said the much-touted government program will create about 6.3 million jobs until 2022 and that at present, the industry is facing a dearth of workers as most skilled ones have gone abroad to seek for better pay.
Sumalinog explained that aside from developing the skills of workers, the program is also designed to help them appreciate what they are doing as blue collar job employees face inferiority complexes.
The masons, based on the module of the program, undergo skills trainings conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority which certifies their readiness, join the Galing Mason Olympics, and vie for Galing Mason awards.
