At the AmCham Talent Summit held on May 14, leaders from the manufacturing, semiconductor, and IT-BPO industries tackled the persistent talent gaps challenging their growth. Two expert panels composed of executives from both the private and public sectors, as well as the academe, highlighted the urgency of workforce development in the age of automation, AI, and global competition.
Manufacturing and Semiconductor: Reskilling for a Tech-Driven Future
The second panel session, focused on manufacturing and semiconductors, featured Dr. Danilo Lachica (SEIPI), Perry Ferrer (EMS Group), Rommel Garcia (Texas Instruments), and Dr. Ma. Teresita Medado (Asia Pacific College), moderated by Dr. Richard Abendan of AmCham.
Key Issues Identified:
- Talent shortages and skills mismatch continue to hamper the industry’s growth despite the Philippines’ strategic geopolitical position.
- The transition to automation and AI-powered manufacturing demands not only technical skills but also strong leadership and soft skills.
- There’s a mismatch between academic output and industry needs, where engineering graduates often require up to a year of additional training before becoming job-ready.
Solutions Highlighted:
- Stronger collaboration between industry and academia is critical. As Dr. Medado emphasized, “The academe must realize its role in nation-building.”
- Companies like EMS Group are working with TESDA to upskill talent while offering to share proprietary training materials with technical schools.
- SEIPI encourages private sector firms to engage with academic members to build a more responsive talent pipeline.
- Perry Ferrer stressed that while the Philippines has ample manpower, many workers lack the necessary digital and technical skills, adding burden to employers.
IT-BPO Sector: Adapting to the Demands of AI and Remote Work
The third panel session addressed the IT and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry, a vital driver of the Philippine economy. Panelists included OIC Asec. Patrick Patriwirawan Jr. (DOLE), Albert Villagracia (RELX), Consuelo Monasterio (formerly of SM Retail), Janet Serrano (Emerson), and Zoe Diaz De Rivera (IBPAP). Grace Sorongon moderated the session.
Challenges in Talent Development:
- AI is redefining the skills in demand, especially in software engineering, cloud development, and cybersecurity.
- Recruitment timelines are compressed, and companies like Emerson are forced to fill urgent roles quickly, sometimes with unrealistic expectations.
- Hybrid and remote work setups continue to challenge companies, especially in traditional sectors like retail.
Talent Development Innovations:
- RELX now fills 30% of its tech roles internally by reskilling existing employees, shortening hiring cycles.
- Companies are creating safe environments for AI experimentation. RELX uses internal surveys to track AI adoption and encourage upskilling.
- Emerson focuses on internal mobility, cross-functional exposure, and early-stage AI tool integration into talent acquisition.
Government and Academe Role:
- According to DOLE, there are 200,000 hard-to-fill roles in IT-BPM, particularly in data science and development, while STEM enrollments are declining at the higher education level.
- Programs like DOLE’s Jumpstart involve both the academe and the private sector to bridge youth employability gaps.
- Internship partnerships and company visits with universities like UP are helping align education with industry needs.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Despite differences in industry, both panels emphasized a common truth: public-private-academe collaboration is key to solving the talent crisis.
From offering microcredentials and sharing training materials to embedding AI into organizational learning and tapping youth programs, the Philippines is being challenged to evolve rapidly and inclusively.
As the summit made clear, talent development is no longer a siloed function but a strategic imperative for both economic growth and national competitiveness.
Let’s Bridge the Talent Gap—Together
At John Clements Consultants, we support organizations in addressing critical workforce challenges through strategic talent development solutions. As highlighted in the AmCham Talent Summit 2025, collaboration between industry, government, and education is essential, and we’re here to help you lead that change.
Contact us today to explore how we can support your talent strategy.
