Holcim Philippines, Don Bosco forge skills-training partnership

Cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines, Inc. recently partnered with the Don Bosco Technical Institute to assist deserving students in Holcim’s host communities finish their education and help the company’s employees improve their technical capabilities.

On March 22, HolcimPhilippines, led by Senior Vice President Andre Caluori, signed a memorandum of agreement with representatives ofDonBoscoTechnicalSchool, allowing the company’s community scholars to undergo a special three-year cement technician course in the school. The deal also provides for Holcim employees to undergo training in Don Bosco so they could develop the right work attitude and boost their skills for better quality of workmanship and more effective handling of plant equipment. Holcim will shoulder the educational expenses of the beneficiaries, and help refurbish Don Bosco’s facilities.

The cement technician course will benefit five qualified community members from each of Holcim’s four plants all over the country. Selected scholars will be required to take their classes in Don Bosco -Makatifor two years, while their third year and summer breaks will be spent at a Holcim plant for on-the-job training. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will accredit the course finishers who may apply either with Holcim or in any company where their skills set would be most useful.

Caluori thanked Don Bosco for the partnership and expressed confidence in the outcome of the programs.

“I have no doubt this partnership will be a big success. This will not only help improve the skills of our people, but will also allow us to share Holcim values of strength, performance and passion. We hope that these programs will help sharpen the scholars’ technical skills and reinforce their desire to do good work,” he said.

For his part, Don Bosco Technical Director Fr. Jose Dindo Vitug, SDB, thanked Holcim for the support and noted the partnership will go a long way in realizing Don Bosco’s advocacy of making quality education available to the underprivileged and raising the profile of blue collar workers.

“It is really a highly-specialized course because the technical-vocational trainings we have developed with other companies usually last for only 15 months. We are very excited with this partnership because the resources you have provided us will not only help Holcim scholars but other Don Bosco students as well,” he said.

“There is a stigma against technical-vocational education because most Filipinos prefer to land white-collar jobs after finishing school. But if you look at the job market, there is a huge requirement for highly skilled workers who can effectively man the industries. And we need them as much as the white collar workers in moving the economy forward,” he added.