Ayon sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sa isinagawang Philippine Power Industry HR Forum sa Shangri-La The Fort, Taguig City, ang mga posisyong "Power Plant Maintenance Engineer" at "Maintenance/Powerplant Engineers" ang mga mahirap na hanapan ng magta-trabaho sa ating bansa.
Posibleng ang kakulangan ng mga kwalipikadong aplikante o dahil nasa ibang bansa na ang mga puwedeng magtrabaho sa mga ganitong posisyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi napunuan ng mga skilled workers ang naturang mga trabaho.
"Between 2016 and 2021, the employment in the power industry declined by 15,444 individuals. The Philippines saw an increase in the employment in the renewable energy industry last year but could have employed more if not for the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on various project developments in the sector," ayon kay DOLE Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick Patriwirawan Jr.
Sinabi naman ng Aboitiz Power Corporation Chief People Officer na si Malu Inofre na kailangang makapag-develop ng mga manggagawa na maaaring makatugon at maisagawa ang importanteng tungkulin ng pagtiyak ng seguridad sa enerhiya at ang iba pang may kinalaman dito upang matiyak na makakaya ng mga mamamayan ang presyo ng enerhiya at magkakaroon ng tuloy-tuloy na suplay nito para sa mga Pilipino.
"There has to be a workforce now and in the future that will keep our energy system functioning and serve the needs of our country. However, among our most difficult challenges is building a skilled talent pipeline that can effectively adjust and work with the fast-paced transformation within the industry's energy mix, digital systems, and regulations," ayon kay Inofre.
"Upskilling will be key to facilitating a just transition for those who will be affected by the transition to a greener economy, as well as the new generation of workers. It is imperative that we successfully cultivate both thermal and renewable energy, so that we can ensure reliable and affordable energy supply for the country," dagdag pa ni Inofre.
Sinabi naman ni Meralco Power Academy Program Management Director Engr. Marc Lester Malibiran na bukod sa upskilling ng mga manggagawa, kailangan ding maging kaakit-akit ang sektor lalo na sa mga kabataan.
"By investing in talent development, we tap into this dynamic workforce, harnessing their fresh ideas and energy. Unfortunately, we are seeing a decline in both take-up and completion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), averaging only a 21% completion rate," ayon kay Malibiran.
May mga ni-recruit at sinanay na ang Aboitiz Power na mga batang academic at professional achievers para mag-operate, mag-monitor at mag-kontrol ng National Operations Control Center na siyang namamahala sa mahigit 20 renewable energy facilities ng kumpanya sa buong bansa sa iisa lamang na sentral na lokasyon.
(Larawan mula sa Philippine News Agency)
