The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the First Pacific Leadership Academy (FPLA), the country’s first dedicated corporate university, are working hand-in-hand this 2013 to design and conduct the Philippine government’s very first Cadet Engineering Program (CEP). The program is an initiative of Secretary Rogelio Singson in line with his advocacy of transformation and innovation in governance.
Guided by the need to fill up executive positions in the next 20 years, DPWH now aims to raise a new breed of young, committed and empowered civil engineers who will drive positive change in the organization. FPLA, under General Manager Roy Agustin Evalle, will co-design and conduct the CEP.
“We are proud and honored to do this for DPWH. We believe that by harnessing the talents and skills of a young generation of leaders, we are helping build our nation. We will ensure that the best practices of FPLA cascades to the government sector via the DPWH,” Evalle said.
The CEP is an extensive 26-week induction course focusing on the development of technical and professional competencies of new civil engineers who aspire to start their careers in DPWH. In the succeeding weeks, the program will cover classroom studies, immersion in the bureaus, services, regional and district offices ensuring that Cadet Engineers become well-rounded and competent members of the organization.
Integral parts of the program are the field exposures, values formation, leadership and professional image enhancement workshops, and a host of enrichment activities that familiarize them with the Department’s structure, processes, facilities, personnel and culture. Every facet of the program targets to facilitate the Cadet’s understanding of public service as a career and as a commitment which fosters personal integrity very much needed in a line of work that is beset with ethical challenges.
Last Jan. 14, during the formal contract signing, Singson summoned the support of the entire DPWH Management Committee to ensure the successful implementation of the CEP. Furthermore, he instructed them that the appropriate and eligible subject-matter experts and resource persons in the organization be chosen as Mentors and serve as role models to the Cadets while in the workplace.
Acting on those words, DPWH Technical Services Undersecretary Raul Asis and Administrative and Manpower Management Service Director Ardeliza Medenilla, with FPLA Associate Director for Technical Programs Ariel Vidanes now open the doors of DPWH to 40 new civil engineers who will be searched and screened from all over the country starting January of this year.
To know more about FPLA’s leadership and management programs, call 632-8111 or log on to www.fpacademy.net. FPLA is located at Km. 27, Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City.