The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has taken a significant step towards enhancing the civil aviation education sector in the Philippines by organizing a multi-stakeholder and in-depth Civil Aviation Education Sector Strategic Planning Workshop at New Clark City from 03 to 05 July 2024. This three-day event brought together various key players in the industry to formulate a comprehensive roadmap aimed at modernizing and strengthening the sector.
DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports, Roberto C. O Lim, underscored the importance of this initiative in attracting young Filipinos to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. He emphasized the need to offer professional development opportunities that go beyond traditional service provider roles.
“Modernizing the learning environment through collaborative efforts and proceeding in an efficiently organized, multi-sectoral platform for presenting innovations is key. We will also need to leverage Filipino talent and international job market success in this sector,” Lim stated.
The workshop saw the participation of twenty institutions representing schools, Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) organizations, and airport operators from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Among the notable attendees were representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), and the Office of Transport Security (OTS).
Participants expressed their enthusiasm for the initiative and its potential impact on the industry. Engr. Joy Cosme Amores, VP of Academic Affairs at PATTS College of Aeronautics, and Diana Delos Trinos, Director of Dornier Technology, both highlighted the workshop’s timeliness and significance.
“It’s a huge boost for the government to have organized this forum for all of us to literally be in one room, and work together to co-produce the vision and roadmap for the aviation education sector. It’s the bedrock of the Philippine aviation professional,” said Amores.
With these strategic plans in place, the future of the aviation and aerospace sector in the Philippines looks promising. The collaborative efforts initiated by the DOTr aim to propel the industry to greater heights, ensuring that the Philippines remains competitive in the global aviation landscape.