CLARK FREEPORT – Clark Development Corporation (CDC) is intensifying its efforts to strengthen the semiconductor and electronics sectors here in line with the national government’s drive for investment growth. The initiative focuses on aligning skills training and workforce development with the evolving demands of the industry.
Under the leadership of its President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, CDC convened semiconductor and electronics industry locators along with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region 3 for a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on February 12, 2025, at the Clark Visitors Center here.
The discussion aimed to capture grounded and accurate data from the key industry players to address workforce challenges and align training programs with industry needs.
The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the semiconductor and electronics sector as a key economic driver, as well as the national investment priorities led by Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go.
During the discussion, Atty. Devanadera emphasized the importance of strengthening the manpower supply chain by expanding skills development. She also called for the development of a customized TESDA training program, an increase in internship and On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunities to build a robust talent pipeline and urged the industry to consider business interdependence.
“Let us explore the golden opportunity for us, and the semiconductor industry is one of those. On manpower skill, we are recommending that we increase our interns through OJT (On-the-Job Training) so that you will be able to see, as early as the time that they are senior students. We have partnerships with many institutions. We will have an aggressive movement for graduates and undergraduates,” she said.
For his part, TESDA Region III Regional Director, Jose Baron Lagran said that TESDA is enhancing their current training programs to better meet the industry’s needs. He noted that addressing industry needs would be possible through the introduction of micro-credentials and emphasized their openness to co-develop training initiatives in partnership with industry stakeholders.
The discussion sought to yield data-driven insights to shape workforce policies, improve training programs, and expand job opportunities for semiconductor firms within this Freeport, further solidifying Clark’s role in the global semiconductor supply chain.
Among the key officials present were CDC Vice President for Administration and Finance Jose Miguel de la Rosa, Vice President for Security Services Group PMGen. Lina Sarmiento (Ret), Assistant Vice President for External Affairs Rommel Narciso, Assistant Vice President for Administration Atty. Bonifacio Tarenio, Jr., TESDA Region 3 Assistant Regional Director and Pampanga Provincial Director Atty. Eric Ueda.
Participating companies included SFA Semicon Philippines, Nanox Philippines Inc., SMK Electronics (Phils.) Corp., Inari Amertron Inc., and Haesung DS Philippines Inc., among others.