Pilmico and TESDA Renew Partnership to Upskill Local Bakers and Trainers

Apr 2, 2025, Manila, Philippines – Pilmico Foods Corporation (Pilmico), an Aboitiz Foods Company, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have renewed their partnership to elevate the expertise and skills of local bakers and trainers. This collaboration aims to improve the Bread and Pastry Production NC II program, foster industry growth, and create sustainable employment opportunities in the Philippines.

William Paradies, First Vice President and Country Director for Food and Nutrition at Aboitiz Foods, highlighted the importance of investing in people to drive meaningful progress. “Beyond providing quality products and technical support, we focus on training and skills development because, with just a little help, people can thrive,” said Paradies.

The partnership, which began in 2018 with the establishment of the Wooden Spoon Business Innovation Center for Baking and Pastry, provides aspiring bakers with modern tools, expert guidance, and a platform for entrepreneurship. The program continued to evolve with the launch of a digital series called, “Bake/Cook with Chef Webinar Series” which expanded its reach nationwide and enhanced adaptability, particularly during the pandemic and the transition to hybrid learning. 

The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TESDA and Pilmico aims to enhance trainer skills with current industry techniques, update the training curriculum to align with market needs, promote technical education for sustainable employment, and expand access to upskilling through ongoing webinars and programs.

“This partnership reflects Aboitiz Foods’ core value: Pursue Shared Wins,” added Paradies. “By working together, we open doors, build stronger communities, and elevate the industry.”

TESDA Secretary Jose “Kiko” Benitez emphasized the importance of collaboration in skills development: “At TESDA, we are firm in our belief that collaboration is the key’…Your support will leave a great impact on the lives of trainees and graduates, their families, and our communities. As we go forward, let us remain the advocate of skills development and ensure that no one will be left behind in economic and social empowerment.”

Since its establishment, the Wooden Spoon Business Innovation Center for Baking and Pastry has produced 572 graduates with an NC II certification. With the recent signing of the MoU, Aboitiz Foods, through Pilmico, reaffirms its commitment to uplifting the Philippine baking industry, ensuring that more Filipinos have the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in the evolving market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long has the Pilmico and TESDA partnership been running, and what originally established it?
The partnership between Pilmico and TESDA began in 2018 with the establishment of the Wooden Spoon Business Innovation Center for Baking and Pastry, located at the TESDA Compound in Taguig City. The center was officially turned over on December 3, 2018, by Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation. Named after Pilmico’s flagship flour brand, it was built to give aspiring bakers access to modern tools, expert guidance, and a platform for entrepreneurship. The 2025 MoU renewal marks a continuation and deepening of that seven-year commitment.

Q2. What does the renewed Memorandum of Understanding between Pilmico and TESDA specifically aim to achieve?
The renewed MoU targets four interconnected goals: enhancing trainer skills with current industry techniques, updating the Bread and Pastry Production NC II training curriculum to better align with real market needs, promoting technical education as a pathway to sustainable employment, and expanding nationwide access to upskilling through ongoing webinars and hybrid learning programs. Together these goals address the full pipeline – from what is taught, to who teaches it, to how broadly it can reach aspiring bakers across the Philippines.

Q3. How did the program adapt during the pandemic and what lasting change did that produce?
During the pandemic, the program launched a digital series called the “Bake/Cook with Chef Webinar Series,” which allowed training to continue despite restrictions on physical gatherings. Rather than reverting entirely to in-person delivery post-pandemic, the program transitioned to a hybrid learning model that retains the broader reach achieved through online delivery. This shift proved to be a durable improvement – expanding access to aspiring bakers nationwide who may not have been able to attend training at a physical center.

Q4. What measurable impact has the Wooden Spoon Business Innovation Center produced since its establishment?
Since its establishment in 2018, the Wooden Spoon Business Innovation Center for Baking and Pastry has produced 572 graduates holding an NC II certification in Bread and Pastry Production. This nationally recognized technical qualification provides graduates with a credential that validates their baking skills and improves their employability and entrepreneurial prospects in the food industry. The number represents the direct, measurable human impact of the partnership over its first seven years of operation.

Q5. What are the key takeaways from the Pilmico and TESDA partnership renewal?
Three themes stand out. First, sustained institutional partnerships produce compounding returns – the 572 graduates and hybrid learning model that now exists were built incrementally over seven years, not from a single intervention. Second, curriculum relevance matters as much as infrastructure – the MoU specifically addresses keeping training content aligned with actual industry needs, acknowledging that outdated programs limit graduate employability regardless of facility quality. Third, the partnership demonstrates that private sector investment in government-led technical education creates shared value: Pilmico builds brand relevance and industry pipeline while TESDA gains resources, expertise, and expanded program reach.