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| A milestone partnership formalized: DAISY ZULUETA, Project Development Officer, DSWD; GEMMA GABUYA Director IV and National Program Manager, DSWD; MARK DEWEY SERGIO, Managing Director, Knauf Academy and ARCH. CHARLES RAMOS, Training Manager, Knauf Academy |
Knauf Gypsum Philippines, Inc. and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IV-A CALABARZON officially formalized a partnership to improve the skills and livelihood of construction workers throughout the region, held recently at the KNAUF Training Academy at Libis, Quezon City.
The agreement is anchored on Republic Act 11310, or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, which is the national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program in the Philippines.
Here’s how Knauf and DSWD are putting this law into action: by opening up real opportunities for construction workers to learn, upskill, and get connected with employers. Their joint training program targets both seasoned workers who need skills enhancement and individuals with no prior construction experience, ensuring that anyone eager to learn has the chance to join.
"Our main goal is to provide skills training for the region’s construction workers. This will be a community-based training, so we will pick among those who have skills and know a little or are working in the construction industry or those who have experience. But now, with this new partnership with Knauf, anyone 18 and above who wants to learn and develop a skill can be trained,” said Mr. Mark Dewey Sergio, Knauf Gypsum Philippines’ Managing Director.
“The partnership isn't just about teaching skills—it’s about empowering individuals, creating opportunities, and building a path out of poverty.”
Knauf Academy: Forging the Path Forward
Taking the lead in skills training is the Knauf Academy, a training center that has been equipping Filipino construction workers with gypsum board installation and jointing techniques. It was established in June 2022 and is situated along Libis, Quezon City. Nearly 848 workers have graduated from its programs, helping them improve their expertise and stand out in the construction industry with their lightweight installation skills.
"Lightweight construction is our focus because it benefits the Philippines," states Sergio. "In a tropical climate prone to earthquakes, this method improves flexibility, functionality, and safety of structures. Think of it as combining the lightweight style of the bahay kubo with modern construction techniques for better safety and durability.”
"Knauf Academy has two main goals,” says Sergio. "First, we aim to improve the skills of Filipino installers, especially in lightweight construction, to elevate the quality of their work. Second, we want to increase job opportunities. For workers already employed, it’s about gaining new skills that can lead to promotions. For those unemployed, we help them develop the necessary skills and directly connect them with our partner contractors for job placements.”
Raising the Bar with K-Trabaho
Knauf isn’t stopping at training. To create a bridge between skills development and gainful employment, the company launched K-Trabaho, a job fair designed to match Knauf Academy graduates with contractors in need of skilled workers.
"We took things a step further by creating K-Trabaho, which is a job fair driven by Knauf," Sergio shares. "In this program, we invite contractors to interview and hire our academy graduates. At a recent K-Trabaho event in August, we connected 70 trainees to Multi-Development and Construction Corporation (MDCC)."
This initiative not only opens doors to employment but also ensures beneficiaries have a tangible chance to improve their livelihoods.
Scaling Impact Through Innovation
Knauf initially aims to impact construction workers in CALABARZON before eventually setting its sights on a national-scale transformation that would train over 45,000 construction workers across the Philippines. The company's vision includes creating more training centers and deploying mobile training vans to reach far-flung areas, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.
As Knauf Gypsum Philippines and the DSWD move forward together, their partnership stands as a beacon of what corporate social responsibility can achieve: empowering people, transforming lives, and paving the way for a stronger, more inclusive construction industry.
