To retain workers with such skill, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz recently signed a memorandum circular establishing specific measures on protecting them as well as clear-cut requirements on their hiring by overseas employers.
In signing Memorandum Circular No. 02, Series of 2012, the Labor & Employment chief said the DOLE has a mandate to gather and develop labor market intelligence and it is in pursuit of this mandate that they identified CNC machinist as a mission-critical skill.
Following the issuance of the circular, Baldoz created a technical working group within the DOLE tasked with formulating specific measures for Philippine industries to retain mission-critical skills, boost the competitiveness of the country’s industries, and squarely address the “brain drain” issue.
Baldoz also instructed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to work out with foreign employers/principals capital investment in the human resource development of OFWs through partnership with colleges and training institutions to enhance the supply of mission-critical skilled workers.
To ensure the replenishment of CNC machinists, she directed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to strengthen its partnership with concerned industries and companies in the conduct of training on MCS.
Baldoz also bared that Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST’s) existing training modules can produce sufficient MCS workers to meet the demands of local and overseas markets.
Research shows that modern technological advances in the design and implementation of CNC machines has changed the nature of a machinist’s job.
Where a professional used to cut and mold metal parts by hand, today’s machinists can program and monitor the work of a fully automated machine.
In some shops, a handful of skilled CNC machinists can perform the same amount of work as several dozen manual machinists.
Professionals read and interpret blueprints, input data into a computer system, and inspect the accuracy of a machine’s operation.
Machinists are responsible for making careful adjustments and performing maintenance on delicate parts.
A CNC machinist is often involved with the design of new equipment, providing an expert perspective on the efficiency of new products.
He or she might work with engineers and programmers to develop better machines, such as those that employ laser devices or water cutting tool.
He or she might work with engineers and programmers to develop better machines, such as those that employ laser devices or water cutting tool.
The CNC machinist uses his or her firsthand experience to inform designers and engineers about appropriate sizes and speeds for different kinds of equipment, and tests out prototypes to ensure their accuracy. (DOLE/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)
Photo credit: cncprogramming.org
