07 November 2013
A new training center that offers to teach higher levels of digital arts and automation recently went full blast, fortifying the country's capacity to upgrade the skills of Filipino trainers and industry workers.
Secretary Joel Villanueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) led the guests at the opening of the Human Resource Development Institute (HRDI), which is a product of an international technical cooperation between TESDA and the South Korean government to address the manpower gaps for highly critical and emerging skills.
Villanueva stressed the need for trainers and industry workers to constantly learn new skills to keep abreast with the fast-paced technology.
"This cooperation is very crucial for TESDA considering that as the authority in technical education and skills development, TESDA is mandated to manage the provision of quality-assured tech-voc training in the country," Villanueva said.
"One of the requirements for a quality-assured training delivery in accordance with the minimum standards is the availability of qualified trainers," he added.
The programs offered in the HRDI are: one, higher levels of technology in Automation (Mechatronics NCIII and IV, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NCIII and IV, instrumentation and Control NCIII and NCIV) commonly required in highly advanced technology in automotive manufacturing services, construction and mechatronics and robotics industries; and two, Digital Arts (3D Digital Animation NCIII and Game Programming NCIII) with state-of-the art and latest equipment and software technology from the Government of Korea.
"One of the requirements for a quality-assured training delivery in accordance with the minimum standards is the availability of qualified trainers," he added.
The HRDI also offers Korean language and culture training programs with volunteers from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Filipino trainers as team-teachers.
The center, which is located at the 2nd floor of the Philippines-Korea Technological and Cooperation Center along Bayani Road at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, had a soft launching on April 22 this year.
Since then, a total of 415 trainers and workers have completed their training. A total of 156 individuals are currently undergoing training in mechatronics, animation, and Korean language.
The Korean language and culture training, which has the biggest number of trainees, has a duration of 100 hours, with the curriculum developed in coordination with the Embassy of Korea. The training program enables the trainees to pass the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) examination for possible employment under the Korean Employment System (KEPS).
The other training programs being offered are with the cooperation of industry associations in digital arts and automation, specifically the Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI), the Games Development Association of the Philippines (GDAP), the Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines (MRSP) and the Society of Philippine Electro technical Constructors and Suppliers Inc. (SPECS).
Game Programming NC III had the longest nominal duration of 1,234 hours, while 3D Animation NC III takes 1,040 hours to complete.
Mechatronics NC III has a duration of 192 hours while Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC III and NC IV both runs for 120 hours.
Villanueva said that with the additional funding of P3.5 million from KOICA, the center was able to purchase additional tools and equipment. Thus, in addition to being a training center, HRDI is also an accredited assessment center for Mechatronics and soon in 2D Animation NC III, 3D Animation NC III, Visual Graphic Design NC III, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC III and NC IV.
The HRD Center was established through the cooperation of TESDA, the Korean government and the Department of National Defense-Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (DND-PVAO).
The Korean government provided a grant of US$7.5 million for the construction of the Philippines-Korea Technological Cooperation Center (PKTCC). Under the agreement, the building will be owned by the DND-PVAO. TESDA, on the other hand, will be responsible for the management of the various skills training programs offered at the HRDI which is located at the building's second floor.
The inauguration of the HRDI was held at the same time with the inauguration of the PKTCC, turn-over of the deed of donation for the building, and the unveiling of the building’s marker.
Joining Villanueva during the launch were Korean Ambassador Lee Hyuk, Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta, Defense Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina, TESDA Deputy Director General Irene Isaac, Korean Defense Attaché Col. Kim Insoo, and KOICA-Manila resident representative Song Minhyeon.
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