To help forest-based and allied sectors find sources of livelihood amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) offers free training webinars.
“The DOST-FPRDI believes that the physical distancing we are currently experiencing should not hinder learning,” according to Dr. Maria Cielito G. Siladan, Chief of DOST-FPRDI’s Training and Manpower Delivery Services Section (TMDSS). “Thus, the Institute is shifting to the use of online platforms to continuously provide technical assistance and training to our clients.”
DOST-FPRDI’s three-level technology training
The virtual technology training webinars are divided into three levels:
Level 1 sessions are lecture-type discussions. They provide a technology overview, discussing the science behind the technologies highlighted, their advantages, and their business potential.
Level 2 sessions involves showing audio-visual presentations that contain step-by-step guides for the processes or technologies. Here, the participants can see the concepts and process steps in action, and can discuss these further with DOST-FPRDI’s experts.
Level 3 sessions involve supervised, face-to-face, hands-on skills training. These sesssions are for learners who have completed Levels 1 and 2 and wish to apply what they learned.
For Levels 1 and 2, training sessions are conducted via Google Meet, and are one and a half (1.5) hours long. Level 3 (hands-on) training sessions will be conducted at DOST-FPRDI, with a maximum of five (5) participants per session in accordance with minimum health protocols and social distancing. Participants may coordinate with the TMDSS staff for these sessions.
Level 1 and Level 2 attendees will receive electronic certificates of participation. Meanwhile, certificates of completion await Level 3 training participants.
What can you learn from DOST-FPRDI’s training sessions?
Topics include (but are not limited to):
-Bamboo-framed face shield production;
-Charcoal production and briquetting;
-Fossilized leaves processing;
-Engineered bamboo production and product development;
-Handmade paper production;
-Handmade product development;
-Bamboo processing;
-Bamboo furniture making;
-Wood preservation and treatment;
-Non-wood preservation and treatment;
-Anti-microbial personal hygiene products; and
-Basic finishing.
Interested parties may check the DOST- FPRDI Facebook page for details on the training schedule and registration procedure.
For more information, contact Dr. Maria Cielito G. Siladan at (049) 536-2377 or email tsd.tmdss@fprdi.dost.gov.ph.
Author: Mikael Angelo Francisco
Bitten by the science writing bug, Mikael has years of writing and editorial experience under his belt. As the editor-in-chief of FlipScience, Mikael has sworn to help make science more fun and interesting for geeky readers and casual audiences alike.
