Bhutanese TVET trainers on Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC) were the latest recipients of the joint program co-organized by CPSC and Labtech International on Training on Trainers Using Virtual TVET, held from August 22 to 25, 2022. Previously, HVAC using digital TVET was implemented in the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. In addition,CPSC also organized a LabTech virtual training of trainers training program for Bhutanese automotive trainers last February 14-17, 2022.

For this program, a total of 19 participants participated in the 4-day program which provided an introduction for Teachers/Instructors to a TVET Learning Management System (LMS) and Virtual TVET Digital Learning Content. The objective is to get them up and running on when and how to use Virtual TVET and digital content and TVET LMS to monitor the progress and grades of learners within and across institutions, and how to integrate these into their classroom learning, plus management of courses. The outcome for the teacher/instructor/trainers is that it will be a refresher course on new technology and applying a hybrid approach in the relevant subject area. This is specifically organized for instructors in the HVAC sector.

The program was jointly supervised by Dasho Tashi Wangmo, Honorable Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources (MoLHR), Bhutan and Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, Director General of CPSC. In addition, the program’s resources and logistics were facilitated by Dr. Steven McKee, President and Founder of Labtech International, together with Labtech Academy General Manager Mr. Brad Ker. Local coordination was facilitated by Mr. Sangay Dorji, Chief Program Officer of the Department of Technical Education (DTE) of MoLHR, Bhutan.

The program was formally opened on August 22, 2022 and was attended by key CPSC and Labtech officials, notably Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen, CPSC Governing-Board Engaged Faculty Consultant who is representing the Director General; and Dr. Steven McKee, founder of Labtech International. Both officials affirmed the commitment of the two organizations in delivering a virtual TVET simulation in instruction and hopes that the participants will be able to apply these lessons particularly in the HVAC sector.

Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen (left/top), GB-Engaged Faculty Consultant from CPSC and Dr. Steven McKee (right/bottom), President and Founder of Labtech, Inc. during the opening ceremony

The program covered various topics such as “Digital TVET Framework” and “What is Virtual TVET”; in addition, topics such as “Understanding how to Adapt and Adopt Blended Learning”, “How to use a TVET LMS to Deliver Competency-Based Training”, “TVET LMS Reporting and Analytics” and “Understanding the Technical Operation and Troubleshooting of the New Modern Training System”. The HVAC fundamentals such as electrical controls and components, instruments and meters, electric motors, and HVAC components were also introduced and discussed with the participants.

HVAC online modules were delivered by Mr. Brad Ker, program coordinator and resource person from Labtech.

The participants were also taught how to incorporate their lesson plans using Virtual TVET and were awarded certificates of completion by Labtech and certified by Worlddidac after the course.

The closing ceremony was held on August 27, 2022. In addition to the program organizers from Labtech, the CPSC Director-General, Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe also attended the proceedings. He wished the participants well as he emphasized the importance of this program to the participants. The participants of the program also appreciated the 4-day proceedings and wished that it will be replicated in the future.

Screenshot of the participants