As part of the second installment of the Institute’s TELASerye, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) conducted a roundtable discussion (RTD) entitled “TELATalks: Bridging the Human Resource Gaps in the Textile Industry” held on the afternoon of May 25. The RTD with the academic, technical-vocational institutions and industry was organized in the hope of encouraging course offerings related to the textile industry to supplement the dwindling human resource pool.

Participants to the RTD included representatives from IndoPhil Textile Mills, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Don Bosco Technical Institute, DualTech Training Center, TESDA, Technological University of the Philippines, and Imus Vocational and Technological School. Each participating academic institution and industry shared their backgrounds as well as their issues regarding training and human resource. Emphasis was given on the possibility of crafting or improving courses related to textiles and at the same time placing competent on-the-job students to be trained to the textile-related industries for possible employment in the future. Prof. Nestor Raneses, Director of UP Institute for Small-Scale Industries facilitated the RTD. He also expressed his hope for a follow up on the results of the discussion within the year.

The roundtable discussion is part of the Institute’s pre-events for the upcoming 2015 National Science and Technology Week to be held at SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia on July 24-28. 

(F.M. Emralino)