LIMA, Batangas — A woman engineer led the second batch of graduates from the Global Technical Center of Excellence (GTCOE), a joint training facility of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) and JERA Co., Inc. (JERA), underscoring the growing role of Filipino talent in advancing the country’s energy sector.
Nathalie Abdon, a chemical engineer, emerged as valedictorian among 17 technical professionals who completed the Basic Operations and Maintenance program, designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world power plant operations.
The program equips engineers with practical competencies, transitioning them from “steady-state” academic models to the complex, high-stakes environment of industrial systems.
“In school, we solve for neatly defined conditions, but in the plant, the system is non-linear,” Abdon said. “I learned that I had to move from learning for understanding to learning with responsibility. Real-world decisions have real consequences.”
Abdon, the first woman engineer in her family, highlighted resilience and representation in her valedictory address, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in the traditionally male-dominated energy industry.
“This journey made me realize that genuine connections can grow beyond differences,” she said. “It’s about bringing a unique perspective that values care, precision, and purpose into every technical challenge.”
Her entry into AboitizPower’s Therma Luzon, Inc. marks the realization of a childhood curiosity. Growing up in Quezon, she recalled being fascinated by a power plant chimney she once mistook for a lighthouse—an early spark that led her to pursue a career in energy.
The GTCOE program is anchored on five core pillars—safety, technical mastery, adaptability, collaboration, and communication—ensuring participants gain hands-on experience in live control room environments and high-capacity equipment.
Despite the rise of artificial intelligence in industrial systems, Abdon stressed the enduring importance of foundational engineering principles.
“While AI can optimize systems, it must be guided by solid engineering principles like thermodynamics and physics,” she said. “Our duty is to anchor every decision in safety and operational integrity.”
GTCOE Director Engr. Mayshelle Rosario emphasized that the center’s mission is rooted in people excellence as a driver of business performance, while JERA Philippines Chief Technical Officer Hideaki Oana described the graduates as future leaders capable of translating technology into real-world solutions.
The collaboration between AboitizPower and JERA reflects continued investments in workforce development, aimed at strengthening operational capabilities and supporting the country’s long-term energy security.