Batangas: Efforts to further train workers in the energy sector will benefit not just the private companies but the public as well, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Monday. During the inauguration of the Global Technical Center of Excellence (GTCOE), a joint project of AboitizPower and Tokyo-based Jera Co. Inc., at Lima Estate in Barangay Santiago here, DOE Renewable Energy Management Bureau Director IV Marissa Cerezo highlighted the importance of human resources in driving the energy sector forward.
According to Philippines News Agency, Cerezo stated, “We likewise recognize that the sector continues to evolve and transform, which underscores the urgent need for reskilling and rightskilling our workforce. In this regard, the establishment of the GTCOE could not have come at a more opportune time.” This project reflects the shared commitment to enhancing the skill sets of energy professionals in line with the evolving demands of the sector.
AboitizPower Transition Business Group president and chief operating officer Celso Caballero III emphasized the significance of a technically competent workforce in the power generation sector. He remarked that the center is part of AboitizPower’s strategy to not only keep pace with the changing energy landscape but also to lead advancements in the field. The initiative began in 2023 through a talent exchange program, following Jera’s investment in AboitizPower two years prior.
Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya underscored the center’s role in strengthening Japan-Philippines bilateral cooperation. He noted that investing in human capital is a meaningful contribution to long-term progress and expressed optimism about the positive outcomes the center will yield in the future.
In a briefing on the sidelines of the event, Don Paulino, AboitizPower Thermal Group chief engineering and projects officer, disclosed that for the first three years, training at the center will be exclusive to staff from AboitizPower and JERA Co. Inc. The program will start with 24 students on September 15, followed by 32 students in November. Paulino also mentioned the potential for opening the courses to students of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for certification after the third year.
