The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) through the Projects and Consultancy Division (PCD) conducted the five-day Open Registration Program on Training Needs Analysis (TNA) in the TVET Sector. The program was held face-to-face in CPSC, Pasig City, Philippines from March 27 to 31, 2023. A total of seven TVET institute directors, administrators, human resource officers, and international cooperation specialists from the International Electronics and Technical Institute (IETI) School System, Philippines and the Polytechnic College of Engineering and Technology (PCET), Mongolia participated in the program.

The program is specifically designed to provide an understanding for TVET institutions to craft a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) for their respective organizations, its processes and comprehend the roles and responsibilities of key actors involved in doing the TNA.

The program was supervised by CPSC Director General, Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, and was facilitated by Program Coordinator and Resource Person, Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen, CPSC Governing Board-Engaged Faculty Consultant. A theme paper was also delivered by the external resource person, Mr. Stephen Cezar. He is currently a Supervising TESD Specialist at the National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development (NITESD) at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippines.

CPSC Governing Board-Engaged Faculty Consultant and Program Coordinator and Resource Person, Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen delivers the opening remarks

During the opening ceremony, Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of the CPSC Director General. He warmly welcomed the participants and encouraged them to be active and cooperative for a fruitful training program. A brief introduction of the participants and CPSC staff followed after. The participants were also briefed on the mandates of CPSC and the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) through video presentations.

Throughout the five-day training, key lectures and workshops were facilitated by the resource persons. The participants were able to learn the fundamentals of TNA (Importance, Needs and Method), its current practices in 21st-century organizations, and its significance to the sustainability of the operations of an organization. They were also able to understand the roles and responsibilities of the key actors involved in designing and implementing a TNA. Mr. Stephen Cezar delivered two integral topics: first on the methods of assessing an organization’s training needs and second on the evaluation mechanisms of training outcomes.

Resource persons Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen (left) and Mr. Stephen Cezar (right) during the theme paper presentations

Activities and workshops made the training interactive and fun. Participants were given individual and group tasks such as making a SWOT analysis, identifying training needs in their respective organizations, designing a TNA checklist, and preparing an annual training plan for their organization. One of the key group activities was the panel interview. The participants were grouped into two panels and were given a chance to interview four selected CPSC division officers to identify their respective division’s training needs.

Participants during the workshops and activities

Photos during the panel interviews with the selected CPSC staff

Participants during the workshops and activities

During the third day of the training, the participants visited TESDA Women’s Center (TWC). The delegation was met by the TWC’s Acting Administrator, Ms. Mylene Somera and her staff. After a brief orientation on the programs and activities of the TWC, a tour ensued. Some of the workshops and facilities that were visited by the delegation include the welding, electrical, and HVAC workshops, as well as the bartending and baking rooms. The participants were also able to view the ongoing National Skills Competition during the visit.