TOP officials of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority attended a technology fair in Germany to ensure that the country’s tech-voc sector remains at par with international standards.

Last April 22-26, TESDA Deputy Directors General Rosanna A. Urdaneta and Aniceto D. Bertiz III, along with other TESDA officials visited the booths at Hannover Messe 2024, an annual technology fair in Hannover, Germany.

The executives also visited the facilities of German automation company Festo to experience firsthand how they utilize cutting-edge automation technology that incorporates industry robotics and Industry 4.0 principles.

In a statement, TESDA Director General, Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu, shares that TESDA has gained valuable insights from various participating companies and institutions on how to improve the country’s technical vocational education and training.

“TESDA’s presence at Hannover Messe is testament to our commitment to global excellence in skills development. Through collaborations and knowledge exchange, we can better prepare our kababayans and this nation for a brighter, more interconnected future,” the TESDA chief said.

Through this immersive visit, TESDA aims to engage in private sessions and discussions with industry experts, thought leaders and key stakeholders to discover the latest educational technologies and solutions designed to empower the next generation skills professionals.

Hannover Messe is an international event that gathers companies from all over the world to showcase groundbreaking innovations and products. This year, the more than 4,000 exhibitors came from such industry sectors as automotive, electrical and automation, energy, research and development, and mechanical and plant engineering.

Additionally, the Festo facilities visited by the TESDA executives is a model for Industry 4.0 implementation. The visitors gained insights into the seamless integration of technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence as they are used in Festo’s manufacturing operations.

As Festo also places a strong emphasis on sustainability and safety practices, the TESDA officials also observed the company’s strategies in minimizing its environmental impact through efficient energy usage, waste reduction, and eco-friendly product development.