MANILA, Philippines (May 2026) — Twenty-five aspiring technicians walked into a training center and walked out with TESDA certificates, job leads, and hands-on experience on live aircon units. That’s the short version of what TCL Philippines just pulled off for the second year running.
The consumer electronics brand has expanded its partnership with TESDA through a second batch of its HVAC training program, this time with a longer curriculum and a heavier focus on practical application. Where the first run leaned on lectures, this year’s three-day sessions split the time between technical theory and actual hands-on work, with trainees getting their hands on TCL split-type air conditioning units throughout the program.
The sessions covered installation, repair, and maintenance, but also went deeper into TCL-specific technology, including the TCL Home App and voice command features. The idea is to produce technicians who aren’t just generically HVAC-certified, but specifically equipped to service the brand’s connected product lineup.
From training room to job fair
The program didn’t end at certification. On the final day, TCL and B2B partner Firstar, represented by dealer Pika Lee, turned the venue into a mini job fair, conducting learner profiling and opening conversations about employment and dealership opportunities with TCL’s internal team and authorized dealers nationwide.
TESDA Center Administrator Eugene P. Agcaoili called it a model for what public-private partnerships can accomplish. “This collaboration is a strong example of what public-private partnerships can achieve,” he said, “creating meaningful opportunities for skills development and contributing to the growth and competitiveness of the Filipino workforce.”
TCL Brand Manager Joseph Cernitchez framed the initiative as part of a longer commitment. “While this session has ended, our commitment has not,” he said, hinting at more training cycles to come.
The TCL-TESDA training center is housed within the TESDA RTC-NCR facility.
