A skilled and adaptable workforce remains one of the most important foundations of the power industry. As energy systems become increasingly complex and the transition toward cleaner and more advanced technologies accelerates, continuous learning, upskilling, and reskilling have become essential for professionals responsible for ensuring reliable and safe power generation.
Recognizing this need, Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) and JERA Co., Inc. established the Global Technical Center of Excellence (GTCOE), a specialized learning and development facility designed to strengthen technical capabilities and prepare the next generation of energy professionals. Located at the LIMA Commercial Center within the LIMA Estate in Batangas, the center serves as a platform for developing world-class engineering talent while promoting knowledge exchange between the Philippines and Japan.
Less than a year after its launch in September 2025, the GTCOE has already produced 53 graduates through its Operations and Maintenance Basic Program. The participants, comprising Filipino and Japanese engineers and technical professionals, have undergone intensive training designed to equip them with the skills needed to operate and maintain modern power generation facilities.
Among the first graduates was Engineer Jhanrod Jobell Enoc from the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao, who earned the highest distinction in the inaugural batch that graduated in January 2026. During his valedictory address, Enoc shared the personal experiences that inspired him to pursue a career in the power sector.
Growing up in Samal, he witnessed firsthand the challenges caused by unreliable electricity supply. The island has struggled with recurring power disruptions for years, largely due to aging infrastructure and maintenance-related issues. These outages have affected households, businesses, public services, and economic activity across the community.Enoc explained that living through these challenges motivated him to become part of the solution rather than remain a passive observer.
His desire to help improve energy reliability for communities like his own ultimately led him to join the GTCOE program. As a Cadet Engineer from Therma Luzon, he viewed the opportunity as a chance to develop the expertise needed to contribute to a more resilient and dependable power system.The training program provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of power generation operations and maintenance.
The curriculum covers core subjects such as safety training, power generation fundamentals, plant systems, and maintenance disciplines. In addition, trainees are introduced to emerging technologies that are playing an increasingly important role in the energy transition, including liquefied natural gas (LNG)-to-power systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).To complement classroom learning, participants also receive practical exposure through simulator training and field-based activities.
These include line tracing exercises and hands-on learning opportunities at the GNPower Mariveles Energy Center and GNPower Dinginin power facilities in Bataan. Through these experiences, trainees gain direct exposure to live control room environments and large-scale power generation equipment, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world operational settings.The success of the program continued with the graduation of a second batch of 17 trainees in April 2026.
Leading the group was Engineer Nathalie Abdon of Therma Luzon, who delivered the valedictory speech as the top-performing graduate. Her achievement was particularly meaningful as she became the first woman engineer in her family.Reflecting on her experience, Abdon noted the significant difference between academic learning and the realities of operating within an industrial power generation environment.
She explained that while educational settings often focus on clearly defined problems and predictable outcomes, real-world power plant operations involve dynamic systems where decisions carry substantial consequences. This realization encouraged her to approach learning with greater accountability and purpose.
Abdon also emphasized the importance of collaboration and diversity within the program. Working alongside colleagues from different backgrounds reinforced the value of bringing varied perspectives to technical challenges. She described the experience as one that strengthened both her professional capabilities and her appreciation for teamwork, precision, and responsibility in the energy sector
.The GTCOE was established with the broader objective of becoming a regional hub for technical excellence and workforce development. By creating a pipeline of highly skilled engineers and technical professionals, the center supports the shared goal of AboitizPower and JERA to develop a globally competitive workforce capable of addressing the evolving needs of the power generation industry.
According to GTCOE Director Engineer Mayshelle Rosario, the center’s mission is built around key principles including safety, technical competence, adaptability, collaboration, and effective communication. She noted that the program goes beyond technical training by fostering mutual learning and strengthening the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and Japan.This emphasis on talent development is shared by JERA leadership.
Hideaki Oana, Chief Technical Officer of JERA Philippines, described the graduates as future industry leaders who possess the ability to transform technology and technical knowledge into practical solutions that support reliable and sustainable power generation. Through initiatives such as the GTCOE, JERA aims to invest in people who will play a critical role in shaping the future of the energy sector.The establishment of the GTCOE is the latest milestone in the growing partnership between AboitizPower and JERA.
The relationship began in December 2021 when JERA invested in AboitizPower. Through its subsidiary, JERA Asia, the Japanese energy company currently holds approximately 27 percent equity in AboitizPower.Collaboration between the two organizations expanded further in July 2023 with the launch of a talent exchange program focused on enhancing technical expertise in operations and maintenance.
The initiative allows engineers from both companies to work at each other’s power facilities, creating opportunities for cross-border learning, knowledge transfer, and professional development.The GTCOE builds upon these earlier efforts by providing a structured platform for developing energy professionals who can meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry.
Through advanced training, international collaboration, and practical operational experience, the center is helping prepare a new generation of engineers capable of supporting energy security, operational excellence, and the transition toward a more sustainable energy future
.Speaking during the center’s inauguration, Tetsuya Watabe highlighted the strong relationship between the two companies, describing it as a partnership built on trust, shared values, and a common vision for the future of energy in the region. He noted that the GTCOE represents a natural extension of this collaboration, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, talent development, and long-term value creation for the broader energy ecosystem.
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