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FPRDI urges public to learn wood, bamboo skills via free webinars

By Ma. Cristina Arayata

March 14, 2023, 7:15 pm

<p>Bamboo craft (F<em>ile photo</em>) </p>

Bamboo craft (File photo

MANILA – The Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) announced on Tuesday the provision of free online training on bamboo and wood skills and technologies set on March 23 to November 23.

Topics include resin lamination, charcoal briquetting technology, wood and bamboo waste utilization, handmade paper production, wood and non-wood forest products (NWFP) preservation and treatment, NWFP dyeing and bleaching, lumber kiln drying, basic finishing techniques for wood and bamboo, and bamboo craft making.

"These training webinars are open to everyone. These will provide participants with the technical information and processes involved in producing FPRDI technologies," Director Romulo Aggangan said in an interview.

He added that the online training serves as an initial step for those who may be interested to move on to face-to-face training activities, as well as adopt the technologies.

Webinar participants will also receive a certificate of participation upon filling out the necessary forms.

Webinars will be held via Zoom and will accommodate up to 100 participants for ease in management and for the FPRDI to accommodate their questions and concerns, FPRDI Technical Services Division chief, Maria Cielito Siladan, said.

The FPRDI will post announcements with registration links on its Facebook page every Monday. Interested individuals should answer the registration form, and the Zoom link will be sent to them a day before the webinar.

The training usually lasts for one hour to an hour-and-a-half, and starts at 10 a.m.

Siladan said the face-to-face training, on the other hand, could accommodate a maximum of 25 participants, and would not require a training fee.

She clarified, however, that there is cost-sharing in face-to-face training.

"The training materials, including raw materials, chemicals, equipment, transportation and accommodation of the training team should be shouldered by the requesting party. The team's handouts, certificates, and expenses in preparation for samples and trials will be shouldered by the FPRDI," Siladan said.

She added that there were instances when training sessions pushed through even when there were only one or two trainees.

According to the FPRDI, about 2,600 participants benefited from the 31 webinars and 23 onsite training that the Institute conducted in 2022. (PNA) 
 
 
 

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