President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s shipbuilding sector through strategic investments in workforce training, during the inauguration of the HD Hyundai Shipyard in Subic on Tuesday.

Addressing industry leaders and stakeholders, President Marcos underscored the importance of equipping Filipino workers with globally competitive skills to sustain the growth of the shipbuilding industry and support international partnerships.

> “To make this partnership succeed, we are working to match Hyundai’s investment with a skilled workforce worthy of their trust,” he said.

The President highlighted a key collaboration between Hyundai and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which led to the establishment of an off-campus training facility in Subic last November. The initiative has already produced its first batch of 24 graduates from the Flux-Cored Arc Welding NC I program—now employed at the shipyard.

To further boost training capacity, President Marcos announced the rollout of additional TESDA scholarships: 25 for Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I and 100 for enterprise-based training in Flux-Cored Arc Welding NC. These efforts aim to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled Filipino workers ready to meet global standards.

> “We now have 16 training programs covering every discipline—from marine electricity to gas or arc welding—so that the skills forged here meet the standards of any shipyard around the world,” he added.

The President concluded by emphasizing that the partnership with Hyundai reflects the Philippines’ broader vision of industrial development anchored on a highly capable and competitive workforce.