Looking for livelihood opportunities while at home during this pandemic?
The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) offers online training webinars — for FREE! This is DOST-FPRDI’s way of extending its support to the forest-based and allied sectors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The DOST-FPRDI believes that the physical distancing we are currently experiencing should not hinder learning. Thus, the Institute is shifting to the use of online platforms to continuously provide technical assistance and training to our clients,” explained Dr. Maria Cielito G. Siladan, Chief of DOST-FPRDI’s Training and Manpower Delivery Services Section (TMDSS).
According to Siladan, the virtual technology training webinars are divided into three levels:
Level 1 is a lecture-type discussion that provides an overview of the DOST-FPRDI technology. It will discuss the science behind and the advantages of the technology, as well as its potential as a business venture. The session will last for not more than 1.5 hours and will be conducted via Google Meet.
Level 2 involves showing an audio-visual presentation detailing a step-by-step guide to the processes/technologies. This level aims to provide an opportunity for the participants to appreciate the technology by watching the processes involved and discussing them further with DOST-FPRDI experts afterwards. Same as with level 1, this session will last for not more than 1.5 hours and will be conducted via Google Meet.
Level 3 is a supervised, face-to-face, hands-on skills training. After going through levels 1 and 2, those who are decided to learn the skills can progress to this stage. This will be conducted at the DOST-FPRDI for a maximum of only five (5) participants per session to abide by minimum health protocols and social distancing. Thetraining will be arranged by the interested parties with the TMDSS staff.
Among the interesting topics to be featured are bamboo-framed face shield production, charcoal production and briquetting (conducted last 04 August), fossilized leaves processing, engineered bamboo production, engineered bamboo 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.
As an initial offering, the Level 1 discussion of bamboo-framed face shield production was held last 30 June 2020, while the Level 1 webinar on charcoal production and briquetting was conducted on 04 August 2020.
For interested parties, the training schedule and registration details are posted at the DOST- FPRDI Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/fprdi). Electronic certificates of participation will be given to Levels 1 and 2 attendees, while a certificate of completion will be awarded to those who will undergo the Level 3 training.
For more information, kindly contact Dr. Maria Cielito G. Siladan at (049) 536-2377 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. (Apple Jean C. Martin- de Leon,DOST-FPRDI)
