Aboitiz, TESDA to put up P6-M business training facility

The Aboitiz Group, through the Aboitiz Foundation and food business unit Pilmico, has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Authority (TESDA) Women’s Center to put up a business innovation center at the TESDA Compound in Taguig City.

The planned 500 square-meter center aims to train aspiring bakery business owners on bread and pastry production. It will feature up-to-date bakery equipment, a lecture room, and a cafe.

The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony last August 24. Present were Apol B. Castro, Pilmico Vice President (VP)-Corporate Strategy and Business Development; Maribeth L. Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation First VP & Chief Operating Officer (COO); William Paradies, Pilmico COO – Flour and Farms; Gene A. Mamondiong, TESDA Director General; Rosanna A. Urdaneta, TESDA Deputy Director General for Policies & Planning; and Marissa G. Legazpi, TESDA NCR Acting Regional Director at the TESDAWomen’s Center..

“The TESDA Women’s Center’s objective of empowering women and youth is in line with our vision to provide sustainable livelihoods to the community,” Castro said.

The facility will be aptly named Wooden Spoon, after Pilmico’s flagship flour brand. The whole renovation of the current space will cost approximately P6 million, with P3.6 million dedicated for the outfitting and design of the space and P2.2 million specifically for the baking equipment.

The Wooden Spoon business innovation center will be used for TESDA’s and Pilmico’s training classes, and is expected to be finished by October.

“As trees and wood symbolize nourishment, liveliness, and unity, Wooden Spoon will be more than a training center. It will be more than a facilityof baking, brewing, and cooking equipment and tools. We envision this to be a facility of innovation and collaboration as we in the Aboitiz Group also deeply values innovation and teamwork,” Marasigan said.