PRIMARY STRUCTURES EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC.
School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership and Service
CALL: +6332 416-8518
Open Hours : 8AM - 5PM
SKILLS Campus, General Maxilom Ave, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu

Email: info@skills.com.ph

Why We Do What We Do

SKILLS > Who We Are > Why We Do What We Do

The Primary Group of Builders (PGB) started as William C. Liu Construction established in 1951. The single family-owned construction company built a reputation of delivering prompt, affordable, and quality products and services thus becoming contractor of choice of Cebu’s leading corporations.

The character and skills of its human resources are the foundations of PGB’s growth in the fields of construction, real estate, health and lifestyle, logistics, and human resources and education. Mr. William Christopher Liu, Jr., CEO, reflected that ‘hard work, determination, and unyielding professionalism are the key elements that enabled PGB to branch out into different industries.’

Inclusive Growth

The resilience of organizations is tested in the face of adversity. For PGB, one of its greatest challenges was the global economic crisis in the 1990s that displaced thousands of workers. The decrease in foreign investments reduced the number of construction projects. This galvanized PGB to develop enterprises that served as customers and suppliers of its flagship construction business.

PGB forayed into property management, real estate, and concrete solutions. In the decades that followed, PGB further diversified its portfolio to include health and lifestyle, shipping and logistics, and human resources solutions. This growth translated to the expansion of the PGB workforce in terms of numbers and capabilities.

The global economy improved in the 2000s but it brought a new set of workforce challenges. Filipino workers were going abroad and Philippine businesses started competing for skilled workers to fill the labor shortage in the construction industry. Though jobs are abundant, poverty is ironically high and this is glaring in Cebu with more than one-fifth of the population remaining poor due to unemployment. This triggered the establishment of the Primary Structures Education Foundation, Inc. in 2008.

Creating Shared Value

Through PSEFI, PGB goes beyond traditional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). PSEFI reaches out to communities through projects and services that are strongly aligned to the value chain of chains of PGBs businesses. The global economic events demonstrated that competitiveness of PGB and the capability of people in the communities are mutually dependent.

PSEFI operates through the School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership, and Services (SKILLS). The education and training provided by SKILLS capture and respond to the mutual needs of society and business which are sustainable employment and quality workforce, respectively. This shared value-driven approach in CSR helps PGB manage its manpower requirements. Having skilled workers means having more individuals with propensity for innovation helping the business scaleup and grow. Ultimately, this growth would mean having more communities and businesses benefiting from the value PGB brings.

Enriching Lives and Communities

Today, more than 15,000 Filipinos have so far been trained and employed through the efforts of PSEFI-SKILLS. Employment of trainees is above 80%.

Under its Academic program, SKILLS offers quality senior high school education with particular focus on two technical vocational livelihood tracks: Industrial Arts and Home Economics. The senior high school curriculum is substantially aligned to industry requirements. As a result, graduates are multi-skilled and have the options to work or become an entrepreneur after formal schooling.

Under the Technical Vocational Education program, SKILLS facilitates short-term training, assessment, and trade testing for individuals and companies. These are in the areas of construction, heavy equipment operation, tourism, health services, and maritime. SKILLS is accredited to deliver over 30 land-based and mobile training and assessment. These trades ensure that workers become more productive in the workplace and are highly employable locally and abroad.

Meanwhile, PSEFI addresses other community needs. PSEFI responds to disasters by providing immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation in the form of decent housing. PSEFI also engages employees of PGB to volunteer in tree planting, coastal cleanup, and various community greening activities.

Advocating for Empowering Change

PSEFI is at the forefront of advancing the contributions of women in employment. While construction remains a predominantly male-dominated industry, PSEFI-SKILLS trained women in the areas of construction and heavy equipment operations. PGB employs women for operation of heavy equipment and maintenance of buildings.

PSEFI-SKILLS had successfully integrated the hearing impaired persons in PGB workplaces. Cleanliness and upkeep of PGB properties and offices are also handled by workers trained by SKILLS.

PSEFI is steadfast in raising the dignity of construction workers. With the Assessment, Certification, and Accreditation System (ACAS), SKILLS ensures that Industrial Arts and Home Economics graduates are multi-skilled, receive better compensation, and have a career growth path.

If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you.