The Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Alliance (AMDev), through its Program Management Team (PMT) and model company Western Digital Philippines (WD), organized an alignment meeting with The Second Congressional Committee on Education (EDCOM2) on August 10, 2023, at the WD facility in Biñan, Laguna.
The meeting served as an opportunity for the Alliance to present its plans and programs aligned with the priorities of the EDCOM2, the national commission undertaking a comprehensive national assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Philippine education sector. Specifically, AMDev is aligning with EDCOM2 Priority 19 (Needs-Based System Projecting the Demands in Workers Upskilling) and Priority 20 (Industry and Investment in Upskilling).
AMDev presented to the EDCOM2 delegation led by Advisory Council Members Alfredo Ayala and Irene Isaac the results of the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Survey, research and policy agenda, and the Advanced Manufacturing Institute - Amherst facility and training programs. Western Digital, the first and currently only World Economic Forum (WEF) Lighthouse company in the Philippines, shared its journey toward accreditation and led the tour of its production facility.
The meeting also facilitated discussions on key policy recommendations, including incentives for workforce development, tax exemption for equipment donations to education and training providers, and scholarships.
“Whether it’s incentives, removing roadblocks, or expediting the response of certain agencies–support of the government is very important,” said AMDev Chief of Party, Dr. Danilo Lachica, emphasizing the role that government partners such as EDCOM2 play in pushing workforce development initiatives.
USAID Acting Deputy Mission Director Jeff Goebel also graced the event and delivered a message of support.
“We’re certainly glad in the USAID to be a partner with all of you and to see the collaboration among partners in the private sector, academia, and relevant associations to catapult the Philippines into a position of leadership. It certainly takes the effort of all of us here working together to make that happen,” said Goebel, highlighting the need for collaboration among multi-sectoral partners.
EDCOM2 Advisory Council Member Irene Isaac reiterated this call for collaboration in her closing remarks, “Let this [AMDev] be part of the EDCOM2 interest in furthering the education and training in the country.”
