GREENvolution Begins: sustainABILITY HR Summit 2025 Calls HR Practitioners to Hire Green-Skilled Graduates

Pasig City, Philippines - August 20, 2025 - More than 100 HR practitioners, government representatives, and sustainability advocates gathered at the sustainABILITY HR Summit 2025: Greening the Workforce to tackle one of the country’s most urgent challenges: bridging the green skills gap. The summit emphasized the Green Jobs Act of 2016, the role of HR in advancing sustainability, and the importance of hiring green-skilled graduates to support a climate-resilient workforce.

The Philippines, recognized as the world’s most disaster-prone country, faces increasing threats from extreme heat, flooding, and other climate-related hazards—conditions that directly impact millions of workers. The Green Jobs Act of 2016 was enacted to incentivize enterprises to create jobs that both protect the environment and ensure decent, inclusive work. The Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 further identifies green jobs as a national priority, linking them to resilience and a just transition for workers.

In his opening remarks, Francis Macatulad, Director for Programs at ASSIST, highlighted the role of the sustainABILITY Project in bridging gaps through partnerships with technical vocational institutions (TVIs), government agencies, and industries. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was recognized for advancing green TVET through top-up modules and sustainable training programs.

Key Insights

Speakers shared perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of the green transition:

• ILO’s Georginia Pascual emphasized that the transition could create millions of jobs if supported by skills development and inclusive policies.

• TESDA’s Engr. Michael Gayona discussed the Green TVET Framework and the importance of partnerships in preparing workers for green sectors such as energy, agriculture, and construction.

• Athena Son (Institute for Labor Studies) highlighted incentives under the Green Jobs Act and the need to close skills gaps to enable all sectors to go green.

• Michelle Guce (Malayan Insurance Co.) urged companies to embed green skills into leadership and culture, moving beyond compliance toward long-term sustainability.

• Josephine Osea pointed to the role of PESOs in promoting green jobs through eco-focused job fairs and labor market integration, while addressing challenges like skills mismatch and limited awareness.

GreenJobsPH.com Launch

A highlight of the event was the launch of GreenJobsPH.com, a platform connecting jobseekers with enterprises offering sustainable roles—from renewable energy engineers to sustainable agriculture specialists. Backed by TVET schools, industry partners, and local and international agencies, the site ensures policies translate into real opportunities.

Call to Action

Closing the summit, Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Director for Projects at ASSIST, stressed that “the HR Summit is more than a dialogue—it’s a commitment to prepare the next generation of Filipino workers for industries that drive both economic growth and environmental protection.”