Industry Collaborators Lauded in Partners’ Recognition Day

The fourth quarter of 2023 witnessed the awarding of companies as they marked their respective anniversaries as industry partners. Through the challenges and opportunities of the business landscape, industry partners enrich the lives of Dualtech scholars and trainees, not just future work opportunities but also in terms of training and other support. Indeed, over the years, thousands of Dualtech trainees have been guided toward stable jobs and eventual employment.

The awarding held is also a venue to hear from the partners how the dual training system has impacted them, since the shared industry feedback benefits all stakeholders. Here is the initial list of Dualtech’s partner-awardees, together with their years of collaboration:

Along with these companies, Allegro Beverage was recognized as a 5-Year Partner Awardee. Over the years, Allegro Beverage has hired many Dualtech graduates as service technicians. For the company, Dualtech graduates are known for its electromechanics skills; also, the work demands a high level of work ethics as they get to interact with various high-end clients. In fact, it currently has 4 trainees from Camarines Sur, La Union, Leyte, and Manila. Allegro Beverage Corporation is the exclusive distributor of industry-preferred espresso machines, brewers, coffee beans, syrups, sauces and teas.

Captive Printing is a printing company that specializes in the production of high-quality bank cheques. The company has already achieved 5 years of partnership with Dualtech, thus augmenting its workforce with multi-skilled technicians who are competent in maintenance of printing machines. The company currently has a trainee from Metro Manila. It will continue maintaining a team of trainees that are guaranteed employment in the demanding but fulfilling work of this specialized type of printing.

A fifth-year awardee as well, plastic packaging manufacturer Nikkoplas received the recognition. Nikkoplas manufactures plastic packaging materials for corporate customers such as Universal Robina Corporation, and RFM Corporation, among others.

On their milestone with Dualtech, Nuvali Steel Precision looked back to years of assisting so many scholars in gaining skills in welding, fabrication, and design. The latest development from the company is its sponsorship for the golf tournament fundraiser, and also that it is planning future collaborations with Dualtech in tool & die technology. The metal processing firm, a sister company of Dualtech industry partners Plastics Plus Corp, M2 Fabrication, and Maximetal Industries, Inc., currently has 17 trainees from Laguna, Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Camarines Sur and Romblon.

On RNM Dynamics’ 5th year as an industry partner, Dualtech looks back to how RNM observed Dualtech trainees in action in another company. This observation led to RNM initially hiring Dualtech graduates, then progressing on to getting Dualtech trainees. They currently sponsor 1 scholar from Leyte, while they provide training in maintenance of semiconductor and electronic machines and equipment. RNM Dynamics provides high performance equipment and materials not only for the Semiconductor and Electronics sector, but for a wide range of industries as well.

A similar awardee is Systems Powermark Corporation which has recently signed another MOA to continuously get Dualtech trainees, to train specifically in electric works and fabrication. SPC’s line of business includes the distribution of electrical apparatus and equipment wiring supplies.

Additional companies commended for their five years of partnerships include Ionics EMS Inc., Plastic Plus Corporation, and Techduo Cooperative.

Two awardees for ten years include Atlantic Grains and Franke Foodservice Systems . Atlantic Grains is at present Dualtech’s only flour mill partner company. Similar to many partners, the company has put its dual training advantage to best use, as it has trained and hired many Dualtech trainees in various key areas in the company, such as operations, engineering, warehouse, purchasing, and logistics. Atlantic Grains currently has three trainees from Laguna and Bohol. Dualtech sees potential in the future since AG could be the first among many from this specific industry.

Franke Foodservice Systems (FFSS), has hired many graduates from its pool of trainees. But it has the unique strategy of leveraging Dualtech’s Electromechanics course for the re-training even of its senior employees. FFSS currently trains Dualtech trainees in fabrication, welding, and additional skill sets such as refrigeration technology. This world-renowned Swiss company leads the industry in developing and innovating comprehensive and intelligent systems for domestic kitchens and for professional applications in food service, preparation and delivery, among others.

Other companies acknowledged as ten-year partners were Matex Planetary Drive International, Inc. and Tritooling Precision Philippines.

The 15th year awardees were Astec Power, Handling Innovation, Suncoast Brands International and Yamaha Motors. Once they graduate, Dualtech trainees progress in their companies as competent professionals and versatile employees. Thanks to industry partners such as Astec Power, Dualtech trainees get the opportunity to train in high-value competencies such as machining and equipment maintenance. ASTEC Power Philippines Inc manufactures electrical components. The company’s line of business includes providing industrial and commercial electric apparatus and equipment.

Handling Innovation, Inc. (HI), also known as Toyota Forklifts Philippines, recently celebrated with Dualtech its 15th year of partnership. Among the few companies to be consistently awarded as Best Partner, it has sought to bring quality to the partnership through various projects. Its valued assistance came when Dualtech was referred to Toyota Sweden in order for the former to avail of additional scholarship grants. Other projects include a mentoring hub for trainees deployed in NCR, and assistance for the construction of the VGCT Student Lounge. Furthermore, not only is it among the partners that hire the majority of Dualtech graduates, but it has also endorsed Dualtech to Victor Hardware. Handling Innovation is under the Toyota Material Handling Group, a division of Toyota Industries Corporation which provides material handling equipment.

Suncoast Brands International (SBI), Inc. is a major player in the manufacture and distributor of natural, healthy, and high-quality food and beverage products. Dualtech joins SBI in celebrating the past 15 years of its having nurtured from training to employment many Dualtech scholars. It currently has 2 trainees from Rizal.

As Yamaha Motors receives recognition for its 15-year partnership with Dualtech, the motorcycle brand has marked the occasion by pledging a donation for the construction of the Excellence Center Canlubang. Some planned collaborations ahead include the mentoring hub in their Batangas plant, specialized training for motorcycle servicing, and other CSR projects in the communities. Currently, Yamaha has 7 Dualtech trainees from Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Negros Occidental.

The lone awardee for 20 years of partnership was Honda Philippines, known for their best-selling quality products in the country. Dualtech and its trainees are honored to be part of Honda’s efforts to produce a wide range of motorcycles for the local and export markets. Honda Philippines’ Batangas plant is key to the company’s assembly and manufacturing.

The 25-year awardees were Amherst Parenterals and Reynor Reynor Arts & Industrial Supply. To celebrate 25 years of partnership with Dualtech, Ms. Danielle Flestado from Reynor’s Administration thanked Dualtech with these remarks: “Trainees from Dualtech were mostly absorbed by our company because of their skills and work ethics…Again, thank you Dualtech for the recognition and for being our reliable partners for 25 years.” Reynor Arts has not only trained many Dualtech trainees, the company has also regularized many. RAIS is involved in the artworks and graphic business, and additionally, general machining and fabrication services.

Amherst Parenterals is a subsidiary of United Laboratories, Inc. and a leading manufacturer of IV solutions. They are the recipient of the award for 25-year partners, and currently has 10 trainees coming from Laguna, Quezon, Bohol, Romblon, Camarines Sur, and Oriental Mindoro. The company’s Plant Manager Allen Salagubang explained how Dualtech trainees are involved in their manpower development program: “In behalf of Unilab and Amherst Parenterals, we thank you [Dualtech] for the recognition. A few of our trusted manufacturing technicians that we employed as pioneer employees came from Dualtech. That says a lot about their development programs, their values, which are aligned with those of Unilab and the Amherst group. And so, the Unilab’s subsidiaries composed of 8 manufacturing facilities are all collaborators of Dualtech… Besides the advantages of technical competencies that Dualtech provides, it’s the inspiration, our social responsibility that is also bringing the partnership to the next level.”

Dualtech is privileged to call Honda Cars Philippines as one of its long-time industry partners. On its 30th year of partnership, Honda Cars Philippines’ section manager Mr. Jover Pagpaguitan shared some updates: “Our plan now is to develop a pool of certified talented technicians for our dealerships. We are hoping to expand it more, since we are also widening our networks here in the Philippines. Having more competent technicians will lead to safer vehicles on the road.” Honda Cars Philippines was established in 1990, and it is one of the leading automotive distributors in the Philippines. HCP not only imports and sells Honda vehicles, but its authorized dealerships and service centers across the country also provide sales and after-sales support.

For the final award, Dualtech acknowledged Ayala Group’s Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. for being the longest running collaborator at 35 years. The electronics manufacturing firm was ranked 19th last year in the Manufacturing Market Insider’s top 50 list of EMS companies in the world based on 2021 revenues. When it comes to the key workforce, IMI sees potential in working with Dualtech trainees for future growth. In the words of IMI’s HR Supervisor, Ms. Dinalyn Garcia: “…due to their excellent performance, they become our absorbed employees. They really possess quality skills. With our partnership with Dualtech, it’s really a big help … we look forward to continuous partnership with them.”