The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), in partnership with the Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation, Inc. (TMPF) and the Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology (TMP Tech), implemented the Regional Program on Navigating the Future of TVET: Addressing Challenges, and Fostering Positive Change from December 4 to 6, 2023. The regional program was conducted in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary celebration of CPSC and was participated by TVET directors, assistant secretaries, officers, and administrators from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The theme was designed to epitomize CPSC's visionary pursuit to shape the trajectory of TVET within the Asia-Pacific region. By confronting evolving challenges and embracing emerging prospects, CPSC seeks to arm future generations with the skills, knowledge, quality assurance and values requisite to navigate an ever-fluctuating world. The program thus, aimed to develop leadership capabilities among TVET educators to drive innovative reforms and strategic planning and total quality management within institutions and organization; cultivate TVET leaders who champion green skills and eco-friendly practices, enabling graduates to contribute to sustainable development initiatives; strengthen TVET institutions through capacity-building, fostering collaborations, and providing exposure to cutting-edge infrastructure for higher-quality education; and drive the evolution of a sustainable and dynamic TVET ecosystem through effective leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement.
The program was jointly supervised by CPSC Director General, Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe; and Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation, Inc. President, Dr. David Go. CPSC Governing Board-Engaged Faculty Consultant, Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen; CPSC Senior Faculty Specialist, Engr. Dr. Mian Khuram Ahsan; TMP Tech Academic Head Mr. Luis Villa; and TMP Tech Assistant Vice President and Operations Manager, Mr. Nelson Manglo, served as Program Coordinators for the training program. Resource persons from both CPSC and TMP Tech facilitated the discussions, including Prof. Rajesh Khambayat, Head, Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Research (DTVER), National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training & Research (NITTTR), Bhopal, India; and Mr. Christopher Sevilla, Manager, Plant Administration Department, TMP Tech.
International Conference
Group photo during the international conference, December 4, 2023
Parallel to the regional program, an international conference titled Revolutionizing the Future of Workforce: Transformative Pathways of TVET towards 2030 was also organized. The conference was held on December 4, 2023 at Dusit Thani Manila, Makati City. Aside from the regional program participants, the conference convened TVET authority executive directors or managing directors, education ministry secretaries representing respective governments or divisional director generals, college directors/deputy directors/assistant college directors, administrators, teachers/instructors/lecturers, as well as TVET educators and practitioners and former CPSC Directors and Director Generals.
Keynote sessions and panel discussions were facilitated. The first session with the theme, Transforming Workforce Excellence in the Age of Industry 4.0: TVET Strategies and Initiatives examined existing government policies and strategies, initiatives and shares the role of government policies for TVET aligned in Industry 4.0. Ambassadors and mission representatives from India, Malaysia, and Pakistan presented their keynote addresses during the session.
The second session titled Fostering Inclusive and Sustainable TVET Solutions: Bridging Skills Gaps, Enhancing Equity in TVET, and Ensuring Resources for TVET Institutes tries to address issues and challenges faced by Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) on a global scale. The Staff College has invited representatives and officials from various international organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), SEAMEO VOCTECH Regional Center in Brunei Darussalam, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to serve as resource persons during the panel discussions.
The third and final session titled Elevating TVET Excellence: Bridging Digital Divides, Ensuring Quality, Embracing Sustainability, and Cultivating Lifelong Learning, the spotlight was given on the pivotal role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in a rapidly evolving world. Session speakers include a keynote address by CPSC Director General, Prof. Wickramasinghe on the importance of quality assurance in TVET; TESDA Philippines best practices in integrating sustainability and green skills in TVET; and the use of XR Technology in TVET in developing and emerging countries by Labtech International Ltd.
Overall, the international conference has provided a backdrop of the emerging trends and patterns in TVET focusing on technological advancements in developed countries and has provided the participants an understanding in trying to explore innovative approaches to how member countries are updating and adapting TVET curricula to meet the evolving skill demands of the job market.
Key Activities: Lecture Sessions, Study Visit, and Country Paper Presentations
During the opening ceremony at TMP Tech, Prof. Wickramasinghe expressed his appreciation to TMPF and TMP Tech for its invaluable contribution and commitment to implementing quality training programs with CPSC since 2021. In his speech, he also emphasized the overall goal of the activity, for the participants to learn about the Toyota Quality Management System, and how it has contributed to the emergence of the business excellence model in the automotive industry. He hoped that the participants, most of which are from the CPSC liaison offices, will be able to gain valuable insights which they can adapt and use in their respective countries. Mr. Baron Jose Lagran, Director of TESDA Regional Office IV-A, served as the Chief Guest. He warmly welcomed the participants and likewise, extended his gratitude to TMP Tech and CPSC for
The first session was facilitated by Mr. Sevilla from TMP Tech. His discussion mainly focused on orienting the participants about the Toyota Production System. He started by presenting a brief history of Toyota, its origin and birth in Japan, until it branched out into various countries to offshore the production of its automotive models. He also explained the existing Quality Management System of Toyota, and how it continuously adapts to the requirements of the industry both in the Philippines and abroad.
The second session, which was presented by Prof. Khambayat, focused on the importance of quality assurance in TVET. He explained that quality assurance in the current environment of IR 4.0 is a necessity for today’s TVET institutions to adapt and correspond to the fast-changing developments in teaching pedagogies and learning delivery. In addition, Prof. Khambayat also introduced the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) and its initiatives to certify and accredit Asia Pacific TVET institutions towards improved quality management systems.
The participants conduct a study visit at the Toyota Motor Philippines power plant and TMP Tech campus
Consequently, a study visit was conducted to the Toyota Motor Philippines Power Plant and the TMP Tech campus as a supplement to the classroom sessions. The participants visited the manufacturing plant of the Toyota Vios and Innova models to which they were oriented on the process line, from assembly to quality checks. In addition, a tour of the TMP Tech campus followed through wherein the participants were able to see the workshops, classrooms, and offices around the campus. They also observed some of the ongoing classes and were able to interact with some of the students during their workshop sessions.
During the second day of the program, the participants delivered their country paper presentations. The presentations aim to showcase some of the best practices of CPSC’s member governments when it comes to enhancing the quality and relevance of their TVET systems in the 21st century.
Lastly, during the closing ceremony held at TMP Tech on December 6, 2023, selected participants from Bhutan, Fiji, and Thailand, on behalf of the group delivered a brief sharing of their reflections and learnings throughout the program. This was likewise commended by Prof. Wickramasinghe through his closing remarks. The participants were conferred with Certificates of Participation afterwards.
Group photo of the regional program participants and organizing committee during the closing ceremony
