JICA, DTI push for academe-industry-gov’t cooperation for auto industry

November 29, 2017

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)  with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are pushing for a partnership model among academe, industry, and government to build the skill sets of Filipino workforce in target industries and boost global competitiveness.

The partnership also aims to promote links between foreign and local companies, and support policy to enhance supply and value chain (SVCD) and capacity development of local companies.

JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito and DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez signed on Wednesday the record of discussion for a four-year technical cooperation for development planning.

The cooperation is the latest push to help advance the Philippines’ attractiveness as an investment destination, specifically for automotive and auto parts companies, as well as investors in IT, electronics, and engineering services.

The industries were identified under the Philippines’ Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy  because of their strong forward and backward linkages that has a multiplier effect to the economy in terms of job creation and value added.

“The cooperation is part of our comprehensive approach to support the Philippine government’s socio-economic priorities such as investing in human capital development and increasing competitiveness,” said Ito. “Through this partnership with DTI, JICA will also work with pilot universities, relevant local and foreign industries, local suppliers and training institutions.”

Under the project, pilot universities will review and update the curriculum and training/immersion programs to make Filipino graduates competitive, while local and foreign industries could join business matching activities among others.

Local suppliers could work with foreign companies and get support for management and marketing capacity building, market access, and productivity improvement. Training institutions, meanwhile, would also receive assistance in reviewing their programs and enhancing their industry linkages.

JICA has concluded its development assistance to help improve implementation of technical vocational track under the country’s K+12 program through senior high school modeling in select technical vocational schools in the country, training of teachers, and provision of equipment. DMS