Sumisetsu opens training hub to elevate construction expertise in PH

Japanese construction services firm Sumisetsu Philippines Inc. (SPI), the local subsidiary of Sumitomo Densetsu, has opened a new training facility in Bulacan to elevate the construction expertise of its Filipino employees and subcontractors.

In a news release on Friday, SPI said its new Technical Center, a three-building state-of-the-art facility in Baliuag, was opened "for training and skills building of its employees, subcontractors, and the broader Filipino workforce selected by the government partners."

"We plan to leverage this new facility to extend our proven expertise beyond Japanese corporations, reaching major Filipino and western companies," said SPI president Tomonori Nakagawa.

Nakagawa said the facility will also leverage from Sumitomo Densetsu's training programs in Thailand.

"Our state-of-the-art off-site construction methods and skilled worker education programs will set us apart in the market, positioning us as a key player in the Philippine Construction Industry," he said.

The new SPI facility includes a 1,160-square-meter Training Center, a 620-square-meter Fabrication Workshop, and warehouse fully equipped with energy-efficient technologies, including solar panels and skylights to minimize energy consumption.

Headquartered in Makati City, SPI is an electrical and mechanical contractor with a wide range of services including installation of communication, air conditioning, sanitation systems, and production equipment.

Nakagawa said SPI's training programs are developed by Sumitomo Densetsu Group, using advanced construction labor-saving and off-site construction methods. 

He said SPI's facility aligns with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority's (TESDA) standards to further strengthen the quality and recognition of the trainings the company offers.

"TESDA accreditation is a mark of trust in the Philippines, and we are working to evolve our programs with their guidance," said Nakagawa. —Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA Integrated News