The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Japanese firm Daikin on Thursday inked an agreement to establish the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Center within the TESDA Complex in Bicutan, Taguig.

“This is a collaborative arrangement. TESDA seeks to provide a facility. Daikin will provide the infrastructure, technology, top-of-the-line learning materials and equipment,” said TESDA-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Florencio Sunico, Jr.

He said an enhanced training standard and training of trainers are expected under the partnership.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña said, “As (TESDA enters in the) the Fourth Industrial Revolution era where smart technologies are becoming the mainstream, I am glad that TESDA is also responding to these changes to meet the requirements of the technologically transforming labor market, particularly in the NCR.”

These advances have created challenges for the technicians, he added. The TESDA chief said Daikin Philippines approached the agency for this partnership, to bring technological advancements and to level up the skills training that TESDA could provide.

According to TESDA, the partnership would not just upskill the air conditioning industry, but also increase the number of installers.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa graced the memorandum of agreement signing.

“What’s remarkable in this partnership is that both TESDA and Daikin Philippines devote themselves to investing in the capability of the Filipino workforce. Indeed, there’s no question on the good reputation of Filipino workers all over the world,” Koshikawa said.

Capitalizing on technologies and innovation goes a long way, the ambassador added.

Meanwhile, TESDA said Daikin Philippines allotted four months to convert a building into the HVAC Center.

Daikin President Takayoshi Miki said the firm will not only renovate TESDA’s building but also work with the agency in developing the installation training program. (PNA)