Thames for Nation Building: Philippine Skills Framework Project
by: Amidala Mallari, Thames International Undergraduate Student
An inclusive and innovative workforce strategy awaits multiple industries with the launch of the Philippines Skills Framework on June 25, 2021. With the goal of instilling mastery and lifelong learning among workers in the country, Thames International plays a major role in this project, showing its commitment to learning and nation-building. It is the Philippine private sector partner of the Department of Trade and Industry and Philippine Trade Training Center in developing the Philippine Skills Framework (PSF), and particularly, the PSF for Supply Chain and Logistics.
Several Thames personnel lent their expertise to the development of the Philippines Skills Framework for Supply Chain and Logistics. Their number includes Thames President Joel Santos as one of the consultants, Leah Macatangay as a champion, Norman Adriano as a contextualizer, Joedy Liza Cruel, Sheila Dingcong, Rechilda Ulili, and Carlo Rivera as facilitators, and Joannalyn Tolentino, Dian Crisostomo-Reyes, and Emmanuel Santos as scribes. In the span of six months, the teams have worked vigorously to ensure that the competencies included in the framework are held at the utmost standard for the improvement of work quality and productivity in the field. Thames’ contribution to this is a display of its adherence to building students who are prepared to excel in the real world, equipped with the essential skills to thrive amidst the competitive fourth industrial revolution.
Other industries to be prioritized in this project are Construction, IT-BPM, Tourism, Food, Health and Wellness, Manufacturing, and Creative Industries. According to DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, the learning framework is refreshed every two years to ensure that workers are equipped with the skills and knowledge demanded of the times. This development will respond to the need for improving technical and generic skills and competencies critical for work requirements and particular occupations.
Multiple government sectors have joined this initiative, including the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Science and Technology. There is institutional support from Singapore such as Accelebator, Singapore Institute of Materials Management, and several others.
The huge advantage that the PSF-Supply Chain and Logistics provides resulted in an overwhelming positive response from stakeholders. Ms. Nenette Dagondon, Chairperson of Professional Regulations Commission-Board for Custom Brokers, lauded the framework for being a guide for individuals who opt to upgrade their careers, and is a valuable resource for self-sustainability and better employability. Mr. Alfredo Yatco, President of Custom Bonded Warehouse Operators Confederation, Inc., shared his sincere gratitude to all individuals and organizations involved in the project, saying that this will initiate job-matching activities in the academic field and such output will be productive and felt in the years ahead.
Thames International envisions a society with leaders and professionals who excel no matter what the circumstance is. It is committed to a pedagogy that highlights the importance of real world practice and experience for the improvement of the future. If you want to get in touch with us for any collaboration, please message us through inquire@thames.edu.ph
