MALVAR, 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 said one of their most valuable resources is “our people — dedicated professionals, engineers and workers who drive the energy sector forward.”
“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,” she said.
AboitizPower Transition Business Group president and chief operating officer Celso Caballero III said the center is part of the company’s bid to ensure that as the energy landscape changes, people will not just keep up but can lead the way as well.
“A technically competent and technologically innovative workforce is needed, especially in a rapidly evolving sector such as power generation,” he said.
He added that the program started in 2023 through the talent exchange program, two years after Jera invested in AboitizPower.
Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya said the opening of the center “reflects the spirit of Japan-Philippines bilateral cooperation, a relationship rooted in shared values, mutual trust and decades of fruitful engagement.”
“Investing in people is one of the most meaningful ways we can contribute to long-term progress and the GTCOE is a powerful symbol of that commitment. We look forward to witnessing many positive outcomes in the years to come,” he said.
In a briefing on the sidelines of the event, Don Paulino, AboitizPower Thermal Group chief engineering and projects officer, said during the first three years of the center, only staff from AboitizPower and JERA Co. Inc. will have access to the skills training.
He said at least 24 students will take part in the training starting Sept. 15, while 32 students will join the training in November.
He said they are considering opening the courses to students of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for certification after the third year.