MANILA, Philippines — TESDA was honored last week with the Industry Award for Technical Partnership from Robert Bosch, Inc. on the occasion of company’s 125th anniversary.

Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, received the award from Joseph Hong, managing director of Robert Bosch, Inc. during the anniversary gala at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

“Thank you very much for recognizing TESDA as an important partner of your The TESDA-Bosch partnerships and technical cooperation which started in 2006 have benefited thousands of workers. The top two partnership programs of TESDA and Bosh are the Advanced Automotive Technology Program and the Professional Skills Program for the construction industry. TESDA and Bosch were also partners in the National Trainers Encounter and in the Hari ng Talyer Program.

Advanced automotive technology

Under the alliance, international standard training in advanced automotive technology for skilled Filipino mechanics and technicians was made available in 120 TESDA training institutions nationwide. Bosch provided TESDA with international standard training module. The program also provided access to workshop owners and operators to join the program and receive the same certificate courses that are recognized in Bosch service workshops worldwide.

Courses offered under the TESDA-Bosch program were gasoline and diesel fuel injection technology, and calibration and repair of electronically-controlled diesel injection pumps.

Certificate training programs for Filipino workers in the construction and development sector were offered under The Bosch Professional Skills Program.

This skills program, a collaborative effort between TESDA, Bosch Power Tools Division, and Philippine Contractors Association (PCA), aimed to provide a skills development program hinged in large part on worker safety and efficiency in the job site.

The program also aimed to support the local construction and development sector in providing the country with the needed infrastructure to achieve economic growth.

During the first TESDA Trainers Encounter in 2010, Robert Bosch, Inc. donated power tools as part of the prize package of the contest winners. Some 126 TESDA Technology Institutions nationwide were also granted discount privileges by the power tools company in upgrading their training tools and equipment.

Hari ng talyer

The “Hari ng Talyer” Program generated over 1,000 certified graduates during its initial nationwide roll-out in 2008. In 2009, the same advanced automotive technology program produced over 4,500 graduates from the automotive services industry. Of the graduates, close to 100 are lady mechanics.

Secretary Villanueva is thankful to Bosch for keeping the technical partnership. He adds, “TESDA is committed to rely on Bosch’s help in upgrading the skills of our technical workers, conserving and creating new local jobs, and giving the Filipino people more options and choices in making a decent living.”

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