With the goal of strengthening skills systems through collaboration and practice, 21 mid-level TVET professionals from Bangladesh gathered together in Manila, Philippines for a six-day training program. Conducted in two batches on April 6-11, 2026 (Batch 1) and April 13-18, 2026 (Batch 2), the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), in collaboration with the Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP), successfully delivered the customized program on Advanced TVET Excellence for Bangladesh: Enhancing Skills, Quality & Industry Linkages for Mid-Level Technical Personnel.

The program was designed as an immersive learning that combined policy insights with hands-on application. The participants explored the Philippine TVET ecosystem, where they gained a deeper understanding of its governance structures, stakeholder partnerships, and institutional practices that may be useful for Bangladesh’s own TVET system.

CPSC Director General Prof. (Dr.) Suresh K. Dhameja delivers a special lecture on how quality-assured TVET supports SDGs through employability, inclusion, productivity, and workforce resilience (Top photo – Batch 1; Bottom photo – Batch 2).

Setting the tone for the program, a special lecture from CPSC Director General Prof. (Dr.) Suresh K. Dhameja provided a Bangladesh-centered policy and development perspective on how modern, responsive, and quality-assured TVET contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting employability, inclusion, productivity and workforce resilience. This was followed by lectures and group activities covering TVET systems and governance, quality assurance through the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC), competency-based curriculum development using the Developing A Curriculum (DACUM) approach, and modern pedagogy for effective TVET delivery.









Mr. Edward dela Rosa leads sessions on systems thinking and the Philippine TVET system, drawing key lessons for Bangladesh.

In a session led by TVET Expert Mr. Edward dela Rosa, participants explored how systems thinking can make TVET delivery more responsive and effective. They also looked closely at the Philippine TVET system, its governance, policies, and stakeholder partnerships, and compared it with their own context to identify key lessons and good practices.

A group photo of Batch 1 participants taken at the façade of the TESDA Headquarters with Chief APACC Officer Prof. Naeem Yaqoob (3rd from right) and APACC Officer Ms. Julifer Madeja (2nd from left).

The program also focused strongly on quality assurance and competency-based training. In lectures presented by the Chief APACC Officer/Faculty Specialist Prof. Naeem Yaqoob and APACC Officer Ms. Julifer Madeja, the APACC 2025 framework was introduced as a regional benchmark for institutional excellence. This was complemented by a facility visit at the TESDA Women’s Center (TWC), an APACC Platinum Awardee institution, where participants benchmarked quality-assured TVET in practice.




The Batch 2 participants commemorate the visit with a group photo together with H.E. Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, ndc, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Philippines (seated, third from left); Mr. Shah Md. Ashraful Alam Mohon, First Secretary of the Mission (seated, second from right); APACC President Prof. (Dr.) Suresh K. Dhameja (seated, third from right); Chief APACC Officer Prof. Naeem Yaqoob (seated, second from left); APACC Officer Ms. Julifer Madeja (standing, second from right); Chief TWC Administrator Ms. Mylene Somera (seated, first from left); and other TWC officials.

During the visit of the second batch, the delegation was honored by the presence of H.E. Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, ndc, Ambassador of the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Philippines, along with Mr. Shah Md. Ashraful Alam Mohon, First Secretary of the Mission. They were joined and warmly welcomed by Prof. Dr. Dhameja and Prof. Naeem. The study visit highlighted good practices in TWC’s skills training, institutional excellence, and TVET innovation aligned with regional quality assurance standards under APACC.

Participants engaged in group work activities and collaborate on the assigned tasks during the training program.

The online sessions on the Developing A Curriculum (DACUM) approach focused on translating occupational requirements into competency-based learning materials and assessments. Led by Prof. Joshua Earnest and Engr. Muhammad Aasim, these sessions enabled participants to connect labor market needs with curriculum design and training implementation.

Ms. Arlene Monge (left photo) delivers a lecture on modern pedagogy, while Prof. Naeem (right photo) leads the discussion on future-ready skills and digital competency frameworks.

Furthermore, a lecture on modern pedagogy by the Research Officer, Ms. Arlene Monge looked into learner-centered and technology-enabled approaches to delivering effective TVET instruction. Prof. Naeem also facilitated discussions on future-ready skills and digital competency frameworks in TVET.

Batch 1 (top photo) and Batch 2 (bottom photo) participants during their visit to Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trades (JZGMSAT) in Biñan, Laguna.

The learning experience extended beyond the walls of the Staff College. Participants visit selected training institutions and industry partners, including Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trades (JZGMSAT), Toyota Motors Philippines Foundation – School of Technology (TMP Tech), and Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Technical Training Center in Laguna. These visits provided them with first-hand exposure to industry-linked training models and institutional practices.

Participants at Toyota Motors Philippines Foundation – School of Technology (TMP Tech) in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Participants set foot at the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Technical Training Center in Calamba, Laguna.

The customized program officially concluded on April 18, 2026. As it drew to a close, participants left with more than insights as they returned equipped with practical tools and strategies, including a deeper understanding of the Philippine TVET system. More importantly, CPSC is hopeful that the program will contribute to medium- to long-term institutional improvements in teaching practice, training design, and quality systems within Bangladesh's TVET sector.

SICIP is an initiative of the Bangladesh government implemented through the Finance Division with the financial support from the Asian Development Bank. Anchored on the country’s Skills Development Framework for Economic Competitiveness 2023, SICIP aims to build a technology-ready and innovation-driven workforce by strengthening industry-institution linkages, promoting inclusive training, and enhancing workforce readiness in emerging and priority sectors.