The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) and Labtech International Ltd., together with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) jointly conducted the online In-Country Program on Training of Trainers on Renewable Energy System Using Virtual TVET from July 23 to 26, 2024 via Zoom platform. The program trained 20 Filipino TVET instructors, assistant professors, and specialists across technical education centers in the Philippines.

The goal of the program was to provide an extensive understanding on the principles of renewable and green technology components using digital TVET frameworks and animated 3D models. This was done under the supervision of Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General; Dr. Steven McKee, Labtech International Ltd. President; and Sec. Suharto T. Mangudadatu, Ph.D., TESDA Director General.

Mr. Brad Ker, General Manager of Labtech Academy (left); Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General (center); and Mr. El Cid H. Castillo, TESDA Executive Director of the Qualifications and Standards (right) welcome the participants during the opening ceremony

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Brad Ker, General Manager of Labtech Academy welcomed the participants and imparted his hopes for the success of the program. Prof. Wickramasinghe also delivered his welcome remarks wherein he expressed his gratitude towards Labtech and TESDA for their continued commitment in conducting training programs with CPSC. Meanwhile, Mr. El Cid H. Castillo, Executive Director, Qualifications and Standards Office-TESDA, gave his speech as the Chief Guest of the program on behalf of Sec. Mangudadatu.

Lectures in sessions

The four-day training consisted of lectures and workshops facilitated by Mr. Ker; and Mr. Ian Andrew, Labtech International Ltd. Consultant and TVET Specialist. Some of the topics covered were: Overview of Digital TVET Framework, Different Approaches of Blended Learning, and Using Videos to Deliver 21st Century Training.

Mr. Brad Ker (left) summarizes the program; Mr. David B. Bungallon, Executive Director of National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development (right) delivers his closing remarks

In the closing ceremony, selected participants shared their reflections and learnings from the four-day online training. Furthermore, Mr. Ker gave the Summary of the Program while Engr. Dr. Mian Khuram Ahsan, CPSC Senior Faculty Specialist delivered his closing remarks where he thanked the participants for attending the training sessions. Likewise, a closing message was delivered by Mr. David B. Bungallon, Executive Director of National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development. In his speech, he congratulated the participants for successfully completing the training. He also expressed his appreciation to CPSC and Labtech for organizing the program to support Filipino TVET instructors in enhancing their skills.

Group photo of the participants