Enhancing Opportunities: Launch of the Advanced Welding Training Center (AWTC) to Empower Future Welders
By Kai H. Negado
“Kailangan makapag-produce tayo ng higher paying jobs… at least makapag-tayo ng business yung makaka-graduate dito sa ating training program,” Engr. Gerald Gallardo, a driving force behind this visionary project and Rotary Club of Mandaluyong Central (RCMC) Project Head, gives us a glimpse of how the Advanced Welding Training Center (AWTC) will help chart the future of workers highly skilled in the field of advanced welding and entice professional welders to become successful entrepreneurs as well.
Held at the DOST Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) on August 11, 2023, the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the establishment of the AWTC between the RCMC, the Philippine Welding Society (PWS), Inc., and the DOST-MIRDC, marks the beginning of another science, technology, and innovation-based intervention that will address the need for more training offerings on advanced welding processes.
Standing (from L to R): Ms. Irene Gallardo, President, RCMC; Engr. Jonathan Q. Puerto, Deputy Exec. Dir. for Technical Services, DOST-MIRDC; and Engr. Isidro Millo, Interim President, PWS Inc. Seated (from L to R): Engr. Gerald S. Gallardo, RCMC Project Head; Engr. Robert O. Dizon, Exec. Dir., DOST-MIRDC; and Mr. Dominador C. Eleazar, Jr, Exec. Dir., PWS, Inc.
During his congratulatory message, Atty. Clefford Pascual, Chief, Partnership and Incentives Assistance Division, who attended as a representative of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), underlined the AWTC's pivotal role in shaping both our workforce and the economy. Pascual aptly stated, “the establishment of the AWTC is not just an investment in education and training, but an investment for the industry and in the future of our Filipino brothers and sisters who will benefit from this collaboration.”
The AWTC is poised to amplify the welding proficiency of the Filipino workforce, catering to the increasing demands for skilled welders both within the country and abroad.
Engr. Reynaldo L. Dela Cruz, Chief, Industrial Training Section of DOST-MIRDC and Board Member of the PWS, Inc. emphasized on how the welding sector contributes to various industries, “kahit ospital, basta may maintenance, may welding.” He also enumerated the different major industries where welding is a crucial metalworking process, such as manufacturing, power generation, refinery, transportation, aerospace, food, agriculture, construction, and mining.
The DOST-MIRDC will house the facility in its compound, design its training programs, and manage its operations along with PWS, Inc. The completion of the AWTC facilities is anticipated by the end of 2023.
Proposed layout of the Advanced Welding Training Center (AWTC).
For updates and comprehensive insights into the AWTC's establishment and other services provided by the DOST-MIRDC, please visit the official DOST-MIRDC Facebook page and website at www.mirdc.dost.gov.ph.
Title: Mold Wizard Design Process
Date: September 12-14, 2023
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Reservation Link: https://bit.ly/Res_Mold_Wiz_Des_Process_Sept12-14_9-4pm
DOST-MIRDC Seeks Inputs from SBSR Industry and MARINA Representatives Located in Region VI for its Study Focused on Determining Science and Technology-Based Interventions Required by the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry
By Kai H. Negado
Iloilo province in Region VI is the most recent destination of the industry study team of the Department of Science and Technology - Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) as it conducted its fifth consultative meeting with players in the shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR) industry.
The multiple issues raised by shipyards in Region VI, as well as by Regions, III, VII, IX, and NCR which were previously visited by the industry study team, stem from the lack of course offerings and training for human resource development as required by the SBSR industry.
Held on July 18, 2023, the consultative meeting was attended by representatives from Region VI SBSR companies, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Region VI, and DOST Region VI. Those in attendance were agreeable with the study findings shared from previous meetings, especially the need for capability building of the existing workforce in the SBSR industry, and software acquisition and training.
DOST-MIRDC team presenting their current findings during the consultative meeting on July 18, 2023
While it is true that software acquisition and lack of training on CAD software are major challenges, Mr. Noel Lucero, General Manager of Jagnee SBSR and Jagnee Fishing Corp., said “the main problem is kulang ng NAME dito,” pertaining to the lack of naval architects and marine engineers (NAME). Graduates of NAME courses are few, most probably since it is not a widespread undergraduate course in both popularity and because of its limited course offerings from tertiary schools nationwide.
Naval architects and marine engineers help design, construct, and maintain ships, boats, and other surface and subsurface water vessels and structures - expertise that our SBSR industry lacks.
Engr. Rufina A. Aquino, Officer-in-Charge of MARINA Region VI, concurred with Mr. Lucero’s statement, adding to the fact that MARINA strongly prefers hiring NAME graduates as additional manpower for its current expansion. Ms. Aquino also stated that NAME graduates are scarce, which results in MARINA Region VI hiring NAME graduates from Metro Manila and Cebu.
In an effort of the DOST-MIRDC to continuously innovate and improve its programs and projects through science and technology-based interventions, the Center provided a platform to convene directly with its stakeholders, specifically those in the SBSR industry. Challenges that arise during these consultative meetings will serve as inputs to the industry study being conducted by the DOST-MIRDC which aims to present an overview of the country’s SBSR industry and how the Center may contribute to its advancement.
Updates and other details of the ongoing study focused on the SBSR industry as well as on the services offered by the DOST-MIRDC are available via the DOST-MIRDC Facebook page and official website www.mirdc.dost.gov.ph.
Title: Mold Assembly Using NX
Date: August 29-31, 2023
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Reservation Link: https://bit.ly/Res_Mold_Assembly_NX_Aug29-31_9-4pm
Enhancement of Technical Skills for Die and Mold Companies Get a Boost from DOST, PEZA, and PDMA, Inc.
By: Ella Vanesa L. Lopez
Gen. Trias, Cavite – The partnership between government and private sector shined bright as the Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and the Philippine Die and Mold Association, Inc. (PDMA, Inc.) held the “Mold Technology Demonstration, Appreciation, and Promotion, A Meet-and-Greet with the Media” at the Mold Technology Support Center (MTSC) on July 20, 2023. This event is a strategic campaign to promote the services of the MTSC as the project nears its completion.
“We want the MTSC to be sustainable, we want it to be relevant, and we want it to be utilized by our partners and local industries. Hopefully, many of our local companies will be aware of MTSC and appreciate the services it can offer,” stated Engr. Robert O. Dizon, Executive Director of the DOST-MIRDC.
Dir. Robert O. Dizon of DOST-MIRDC delivering his welcome remarks
DOST-MIRDC is the lead implementing agency of the ‘Establishing the Mold Technology Support Center’ project, which is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant of the Republic of Korea. Collaborating with the DOST-MIRDC for the MTSC project are the PEZA, Department of Trade and Industry- Board of Investments (DTI-BOI), and PDMA, Inc.
In her speech, Atty. Tanyag called for all stakeholders to collaborate with the MTSC and utilize its services, “For the success and sustainability of this project, we’ll need the support of stakeholders, this is by encouraging those in the mold and die industries, especially those inside and outside the PEZA zone, to avail of the training provided by the MTSC.”
Mr. George Ong of PDMA commended the contributions of all agencies and organizations involved in this project, “We know that there are many challenges in the manufacturing industry, but with the help of DOST-MIRDC, DTI-BOI, and PEZA, we can reach greater heights moving forward.”
(T) Atty. Norma B. Tanyag of PEZA and (B) Mr. George Ong of PDMA reacting to the testimonies of MTSC clients
The event was attended by members of the media, private companies, academe, and government organizations. A number of representatives from the private sector are clients of the MTSC, and they shared their testimonies about how the services they availed of from the MTSC contributed to the improvement of their skills.
Guests of the promotional event entitled “Mold Technology Demonstration, Appreciation and Promotion, A meet-and-greet with the media”
Recalling his experiences working with the MTSC, Engr. Charlie Buenaventura, Production Supervisor at McBride Corporation, cited the benefits of availing of the MTSC’s services, he said, “Nung training namin, kami rin ang nagtutroubleshoot kapag nakakaencounter kami ng defects na commonly naeencounter namin sa planta. Ang mas maganda nito, napakaadvance ng mga technology ng MTSC kaya natuto talaga kami.”
The MTSC offers training programs and is open to clients for time sharing and actual time use of equipment. Through these services, the MTSC is supporting the growth of the economy by boosting the capabilities of the local die and mold industry.
The MTSC project officials recognize that the MTSC’s sustainability will be further ensured with the continued support of its clients and stakeholders. This promotional event is a way for DOST-MIRDC, through its media partners, to spread the word about the MTSC as far and wide as possible.
