TOP officials of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority visited the facilities of a Malaysian automotive giant as part of their benchmarking activities in a bid to support the current administration’s direction of improving the electric vehicle industry in the Philippines.

On the company’s invitation, TESDA Director General Suharto Mangudadatu and other TESDA executives toured the Bermaz Auto Berhad Head Office in Selangor, Malaysia, and received insights into the skills training best practices employed by Malaysia’s prominent electric vehicle player.

During the visit last February 5, Bermaz showed the agency’s top officials their production and training facilities and shared their experiences in identifying the market, supply, and demand as well as their contributions to the creation of an EV roadmap in Malaysia.

The TESDA chief expressed interest in learning about the latest developments in the EV industry, specifically in setting up training facilities for the production and servicing of electric vehicles, including its operational protocols and equipment requirements.

“By benchmarking our training programs and curricula against international standards, we can ensure that our workforce meets the demands of the rapidly evolving electric mobility sector in the Philippines,” he said.

“This activity will also enable us to make necessary adjustments and tailor our training programs to the specific needs of the EV industry, ensuring that our graduates possess the skills required to succeed in this field,” he added.

With a keen focus on advancing the skills of the local workforce, TESDA also sought knowledge exchange on the development of necessary skills policies that can contribute to ensuring workforce readiness and global competitiveness in the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Secretary Mangudadatu personally thanked Bermaz Auto Berhad for generously sharing their knowledge and expertise in the EV industry with the agency.

“We thank Bermaz for their kind support to TESDA as we embark on bolstering the growing EV sector in the Philippines. This is beneficial in ensuring that our training programs are not only current but also in line with emerging technologies and trends,” the TESDA chief said.

Mangudadatu also noted that e-vehicles offer cleaner and more efficient alternatives to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, reducing harmful emissions and dependence on finite fossil fuels.

“Over the years, we have relied mainly on fossil fuels for our transportation. This not only contributes to environmental degradation but also poses health risks to our citizens due to air pollution. However, amidst these challenges lies an opportunity for transformation, and that opportunity lies in the electric vehicle industry,” Mangudadatu said.

It can be recalled that, in 2021, TESDA developed and deployed the competency standards for Pure Battery Propelled Electric Vehicle Servicing Level II in close collaboration with the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines and other stakeholders.

“With the new information at hand, TESDA will be able to further improve our policies and align them with international standards,” he noted.

“Through this, we will be able to strengthen our programs and train more Filipinos needed for the possible shift towards more electric vehicles for public transportation under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program,” he added.