CEBU CITY – A foundation has introduced a program that seeks to equip senior high school students with practical skills in solar technology and help address growing demand for expertise in renewable energy systems.
Vivant Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Cebu-based Vivant Corp., has introduced a solar component for the Electricians’ Installation and Maintenance (EIM) course approved by the Department of Education (DepEd).
Shem Jose Garcia, executive director of Vivant Foundation, said the program aligns with the foundation’s commitment to sustainable solutions for off-grid communities.
GARCIA
“Our goal is to empower graduates with the skills to support solar technology in their communities, particularly in remote areas with limited access to skilled technicians,” Garcia said.
Since 2018, Vivant Foundation has energized 21 schools nationwide, starting with Hilutungan Integrated School in Bantayan, Cebu.
The foundation, however, is faced with challenges on the maintenance of installed solar facilities.
To address the issue, the foundation integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) training into the EIM course to help students acquire hands-on expertise in system upkeep.
“While EIM courses covered modern technology like security systems, they lacked training on solar PV systems,” Garcia said.
Garcia added that the curriculum is vital for addressing the needs of communities relying on renewable energy.
The solar curriculum will initially be rolled out in 10 partner schools across Cebu. Following a one-year pilot, DepEd will evaluate the program for potential nationwide implementation.
For bigger impact, Garcia encouraged other organizations to adopt the curriculum through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
“We can’t do it everywhere, so we encourage other foundations and companies in the tech-voc space to use this curriculum to help update the skills of future electricians,” he said.
The foundation developed the curriculum in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and DepEd. The curriculum includes teacher training and the donation of specialized equipment worth approximately P800,000 per school.
The foundation has transformed some classrooms into fully equipped workshops to facilitate hands-on learning.