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MANILA, Philippines -- Canada will need close to two million skilled workers over the next 10 years and is looking at the Philippines as its main source of manpower, officials of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced recently.
"We succeeded in bilateral negotiations with Canadian provinces late last year," POEA Administrator Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said at a press conference.
Baldoz said Canada will need 1.9 million skilled workers and professionals.
British Columbia, according to the POEA chief, will be hiring 22,000 to 24,000 temporary workers in preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Manitoba, on the other hand, will need more caregivers, nannies, and skilled workers such as pipe fitters and welders. "The same [type of] skilled workers will also be hired in the province of Alberta as maintenance managers and facility operators," Baldoz said.
Construction workers, meat processors, educators and researchers will be needed in Prince Edward Island.
"Private recruitment agencies will be handling the job orders from Canada,” Baldoz said.
Baldoz had earlier said the global economic slowdown would have little effect on the number of Filipinos deployed abroad.
"Many highly industrialized countries have a shortage of skilled workers,” Baldoz said, noting that the locals were not willing to take on "dirty, dangerous and difficult jobs such as welding and construction work."
Baldoz said these countries look to the Philippines to supply these skilled workers and keep their economies going.
"They still need us," Baldoz said.
