TESDA opens center for baking, barista courses

MANILA – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) launched the Innovation Center for Baking and Pastry Production and Barista on Friday.

"This is the first time that TESDA will have an innovation center focused on baking and pastry production and barista (courses)," TESDA Secretary Guiling Mamondiong told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) during the launch.

Mamondiong added that the innovation center is something new and is equipped with high-tech equipment.

"The equipment were donated by Pilmico Foods Corp. (PFC), without asking for anything in return," he said.

TESDA had allotted about P10 million for this innovation center, Mamondiong said, basically for the building construction.

The innovation center was created for the skills training and entrepreneurial activities of Bread and Pastry Production NC II and Barista NC II students and graduates.

"The center is quite small and could only accommodate 25 trainees per batch. We target to have 100 to 150 graduates per year," Mamondiong noted.

He said Bread and Pastry Production and Barista are in-demand courses in the country.

"These (courses) are also tourism-related. Anywhere you go, you look for good food. So these courses are really good opportunities for employment and businesses," he said.

According to TESDA, the innovation center will be a one-stop shop center, containing all the essential facilities for baking and pastry production, such as lecture rooms, kitchen laboratories, and cafeteria.

Support services for future entrepreneurs on food and bakeshop will also be provided, the agency added. (PNA)