INTRAMUROS, Manila — Recognizing the significance of developing the youth to become productive citizens in the future, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched the 'Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN' project that aims to train the youth in the Philippines and Thailand in modern construction that is safer to the environment and more effective in supporting efforts in nation building.

In his keynote speech during the launching, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) undersecretary Carmela Torres highlighted the importance of training the youth for a just and more sustainable future in the construction sector.

With the help of the ILO-South Korea Partnership Programme, several industry-led training and apprenticeship programs will be set up in order to address the sector's urgent needs.

According to the ILO, the project will span until December next year during which time skills mobility in the whole region of the Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be covered and enhanced.

The project's launching was well attended by several expert luminaries in the construction industry, among them ILO country director in the Philippines Khalid Hassan and South Korea Partnership Programme chief technical advisor Hochuk Shin.