The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) organized a training program specifically designed for the 25 Technical Directors and Assistant Technical Directors of Don Bosco TVET Centers from all over the Philippines. This was held at the El Cielito Hotel in Makati City from September 16, 20, 2019.

The program was organized to orient the participants on the need for TVET institutions to shift its strategies in regards with on program offerings specifically on the jobs that will soon become ‘obsolete’ because the jobs of most industries will require “green jobs”. This training program is also a very timely initiative to encourage Don Bosco schools to develop action plans ensuring that our programs will be more responsive to the needs of their partner industries.

Topics discussed include: (1) Greening TVET for Sustainable Development; (2) Five Dimensions of Greening TVET Framework; (3) Challenges and Opportunities in Greening TVET; (4) Integrating Green Skills and Competencies in TVET and (5) Developments and examples of greening TVET in Asia-Pacific region. The participants also prepared action plans to integrate greening competencies in TVET and a program plan for greening TVET in their institutions.

Participants during the ice-breaker exercise
Participants preparing the SWOT analysis in one of the activities.

The program was supervised by the Director General, Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane and coordinated by the CPSC Faculty Specialist, Ms. Therese Tan Lee. In addition, the program resources and lessons were delivered by Faculty Specialist, Mr. Sanyog Bhattarai and Seconded Faculty Consultant, Dr. Vijay Patil.

The opening ceremony was graced by the officials of CPSC led by Dr. Lamichhane and Fr. Sylvester Casaclang, SDB who represented Fr. Jose Dindo S. Vitug, the Executive Director of Don Bosco One TVET Philippines.

In his opening speech. Dr. Lamichhane cited the mutual partnership between CPSC and Don Bosco. He also mentioned the role of Don Bosco in becoming a benchmark for TVET institutions not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the region as well. He also expressed his optimism that the training program will introduce a profound impact on reorienting TVET to be more sensitive to environmental needs in the advent of significant socio-political developments in the region.

In response, Fr. Casaclang, in behalf of Fr. Vitug mentioned Don Bosco’s mission to transform society through programs that will create a greater impact and his hope that the 5-day program will become a catalyst to effectively execute that mission.

Aside from classroom lectures and tasks, study visits to relevant institutions were also embarked to expose the participants to the realities of greening TVET implementation in the country. Institutions visited include the green technology center in TESDA, Clean Air Asia, and UP Diliman Task Force on Solid Waste Management.

In addition, a panel discussion inviting some experts on greening TVET was organized on Septemher 19, 2019. Notable personalities in attendance include Ms. Rosie Diones (Training and Extension Staff, UP Diliman Task Force on Solid Waste Management, UP DIliman), Engr. Ronald Gaspar (Assistant Vice President and Operations Manager, Toyota Motors Philippines) and Mr. Edgardo R. Caldit (Technical Support for Green Technology Center, TESDA).

Visit to Clean Air Asia

Participants at the TESDA Green Technology Center in Taguig City

Discussing the installation of solar panels
Panelists during the Panel Discussion held on September 19, 2019