The skills shortage is real. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued the statement yesterday after its proposal to ease the entry of foreigners in some of occupations in the country’s still growing industries drew public flak. The callings in DOLE’s skilled occupational shortage list include architect, chemical engineer, chemist, environmental planner, fisheries technologist, geologist, guidance counselor, licensed librarian, medical technologist, sanitary engineer, computer numerical control machinist, assembly technician, test technician, pilot, aircraft mechanic. Some labor groups earlier claimed there was no such deficiency of qualified applicants for such positions, citing the country’s thousands of annual jobseekers each year.

Source: Manila Bulletin - January 16, 2014