The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) along with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) conducted the second Certified Productivity Practitioners Course from 19 to 30 August 2019 in Manila and Tagaytay City. The course aims to enhance the competencies of productivity practitioners in national productivity organizations (NPOs) by equipping them with theoretical and practical knowledge of productivity improvement strategies at the organizational level. This is the preparatory course for the APO Certification Program for Productivity Practitioners.

The 12-day course was attended by 17 participants from 13 member country NPOs and conducted by APO-assigned resource persons from Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. The certification program focuses on developing a pool of productivity practitioners and quality experts with knowledge of fundamental concepts, principles, and tools. These certified practitioners are expected to provide promotion, training, and consultancy services to improve the productivity and competitiveness of a range of organizations in member countries. They are also trained to adopt integrated productivity frameworks to diagnose productivity problems and recommend practical solutions.

After the three main course modules, participants then observed operations in three SMEs and one public organization for productivity and quality diagnosis and identification of productivity tools and techniques that could be applied to improve them: Sunlight Foods Corp; Glorious Industrial & Development Corporation; Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolate; and Bases Conversion and Development Authority. After visiting the four organizations, the participants drafted productivity and quality diagnosis reports and suggested points to raise productivity in the four organizations. Representatives of the organizations appreciated the recommendations and planned to utilize them to improve their activities.

In his closing remarks, DAP President and CEO Atty. Engelbert C. Caronan, Jr. advised participants that, “Certification is not merely proof of your acquired competencies to carry out technical assignments but it is also a testament to the commitment of APO member countries to developing and maintaining a pool of productivity professionals who will contribute to the competitiveness of each member and of the Asia-Pacific region. Through this program, you not only build up your competencies in productivity and quality improvement, but also establish long-term professional connections and friendships.”

APO Secretariat Program Officer Junho Kim called upon all participants to continue working on their individual consulting projects and submit reports on them within six months to meet the requirements for certification. APO faculty members will provide mentoring and coaching to guide participants in preparing the project reports. Successful candidates will receive three-year certification from the APO.