VMC inks skills training partnership with DBTI

By Dolly Yasa

Bacolod City – Victorias Milling Company, Inc. (VMC) inked two partnership agreements with Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) by allowing students taking up Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to undergo in-plant training and provide the school access to heavy equipment for training students enrolled in Heavy Equipment Operation courses.

In a press statement, VMC said the two Memorandum of Agreements were signed by VMC President and Chief Operating Officer Minnie Chua and VMC Chief Finance Officer Kristine Cabuguason, Fr. Cyril Cardinal, DBTI Technical Director; and Fr. Eli Santos, DBTI Lector in a simple ceremony attended by VMC officials and Don Bosco teachers at the Victorias Golf and Country Club Monday.

“Don Bosco has been a valuable partner of VMC for close to eight decades now, since it was first established in 1941,” Chua said.

Chua added that the company is particularly drawn to the school’s “noble purpose of providing quality technical education for underprivileged youth for gainful employment and eventually, a chance to live a quality life.”

Fr. Cardinal called the partnership a realization of a “dream” for the training center since its inception in 2003.

“This partnership benefits both VMC and DBTC as they uplift the lives of poverty-stricken out-of-school youths of Victorias and transforming them to the ideals of St. John Bosco, that is, making these young people honest Christians and honest citizens,” he added.

Under the skills training agreement, VMC will take in students to mentor them on technical skills and proper work values as well as provide them the necessary tools and materials during the training, all of which are listed under the Training Plan that was jointly worked out by VMC and DBTI.

Moreover, VMC will cover the students’ insurance policy during their in-plant training and provide them with training allowance.

The other agreement covers the use of heavy equipment owned by VMC, for use of DBTI students who are enrolled in Heavy Equipment Operation, a specialized course offered by the school which is registered as a Technical Vocational Institution under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) program of the government.

“As Don Bosco does its part in helping the out-of-school youth in the country, so will we, by continuing the journey of these students towards learning and opportunity and we are here today to solidify our commitment through these agreements,” Chua said.

She particularly cited the effort of the Manufacturing team headed by Linley Retirado, Chief Manufacturing Officer and Joseph Penuela, Head of Engineering Services and Fr. Cyril and his DBTI team for “generously spending their time during the planning stage and now, making this endeavour possible.”