Holcim, Don Bosco forge skills training partnership

MANILA, Philippines - Cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines, Inc. recently partnered with the Don Bosco Technical Institute to assist deserving students in Holcim’s host communities finish their education and help the company’s employees improve their technical capabilities.

Holcim Philippines, led by senior vice president Andre Caluori, signed a memorandum of agreement with representatives of Don Bosco Technical School on March 22, allowing the company’s community scholars to undergo a special three-year cement technician course in the school. The deal also provides for Holcim employees to undergo training in Don Bosco so they could develop the right work attitude and boost their skills for better quality of workmanship and more effective handling of plant equipment. Holcim will shoulder the educational expenses of the beneficiaries, and help refurbish Don Bosco’s facilities.

The cement technician course will benefit five qualified community members from each of Holcim’s four plants all over the country. Selected scholars will be required to take their classes in Don Bosco - Makati for two years, while their third year and summer breaks will be spent at a Holcim plant for on-the-job training.

“I have no doubt this partnership will be a big success. This will not only help improve the skills of our people, but will also allow us to share Holcim values of strength, performance and passion. We hope that these programs will help sharpen the scholars’ technical skills and reinforce their desire to do good work,” Caluori said.

“It is really a highly-specialized course because the technical-vocational trainings we have developed with other companies usually last for only 15 months. We are very excited with this partnership because the resources you have provided us will not only help Holcim scholars but other Don Bosco students as well,” Don Bosco Technical Director Fr. Jose Dindo Vitug, SDB said.