Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation (Pilmico) has partnered with Infinity Vocational Training School Inc. (IVTSI) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to deliver hands-on technical training at its Tarlac Meatmasters facility.

Through the collaboration, trainees are undertaking TESDA-certified Slaughtering Operations and Retail Meat Cutting courses inside the country’s first multi-meat Triple AAA-accredited facility, gaining practical experience in an environment that reflects the highest standards of food safety, quality, and operational discipline.

The initiative reflects a shared commitment among industry, government, and academia to strengthen the country’s skilled workforce and prepare graduates for meaningful careers across the livestock and meat-processing value chain.

Josh Douglas, Aboítiz Foods’ Assistant Technical Director for Meats Operations, said the partnership reflects Pilmico’s belief that investing in people is just as important as investing in facilities.

“Developing people is essential to building a stronger meat industry. By opening Tarlac Meatmasters for hands-on training, we hope to give aspiring professionals the opportunity to build practical skills while learning the discipline and food safety practices that define our operations,” said Douglas, adding, “Through partnerships like this, we aim to contribute to a stronger talent pipeline for the Philippine meat industry.”

Learning through industry experience

Pilmico’s Tarlac Meatmasters serves as both a commercial meat processing facility and a practical learning environment where trainees experience the day-to-day standards of modern meat production. Its Triple AAA accreditations for Slaughterhouse (2021), Meat Cutting Plant (2023), and Cold Storage Warehouse (2025) reflect the company’s longstanding commitment to food safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Unlike traditional classroom settings, participants gain firsthand exposure to meat fabrication and slaughter operations in an active production environment. Throughout the program, trainees rotate through key operational areas—including lairage, slaughter and meat-cutting rooms, and chilled storage facilities—developing an appreciation for the discipline, precision, and teamwork required in modern meat processing.

“Combining IVTSI’s pioneering, TESDA-aligned curriculum in specialized butchery with Pilmico’s vast resources as an integrated agribusiness elevates vocational education,” said IVTSI president and CEO Roy Aldous Bautista, adding, “Exposure to Pilmico’s benchmarks in animal nutrition, modern biosecurity, and cold chain management gives students a competitive edge in both domestic and overseas markets.”

By making its facilities available for technical education, Pilmico helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical industry experience, enabling trainees to develop competencies that meet the evolving needs of the local and global meat industry.

Creating pathways to employment

Rotating through active production areas allows participants to learn vital skills under rigid safety, biosecurity, and sanitation regulations. 

For the pioneer batch of trainees, the program offers more than the opportunity to earn a National Certificate II (NC II). It also provides valuable exposure to professional meat processing operations.

John Kenneth Onofre, a former sales executive wanting to gain new skills, said that training at Tarlac Meatmasters gave him a deeper appreciation for the standards and discipline required in professional meat processing.

“Before po, nag-enroll na po ako sa ibang training school para sa butchery course, pero lectures lang, walang hands-on training,” recalled Onofre. “Sobrang grateful po ako kasi dito po kami nakapag-training sa Triple-AAA accredited facility ng Pilmico. Nakikita namin yung overall production process. Marami po kaming natututunan.”

[English translation: “I had previously enrolled in a butchery course at another training school, but it was mostly classroom-based with no hands-on experience. I’m very grateful to have trained here at Pilmico’s Triple AAA-accredited facility. We were able to see the entire production process firsthand, and we’ve learned so much from the experience.”]

For Hazel Pauline Pilotin, a Junior Accountant by profession, the practical, industry-recognized skills that she gained from the training broaden her career aspirations and can open doors to new job opportunities.

“Ang isang butcher po kasi valued po kahit saan ka mapunta – sa kusina, planta, fabrication, o sa packaging,” said Pilotin, adding, “Nag-open po ito ng mas maraming career options. So, if given the chance na makapagtrabaho sa ibang bansa, at least na-prepare po ako ng Pilmico.”

[English translation: “The skills of a butcher are valuable wherever you go—whether it’s in a kitchen, a processing plant, fabrication, or packaging. This program has opened more career opportunities for me. So if I’m given the chance to work abroad, I know this training at Pilmico has prepared me well.”]

Meanwhile, Ednel Galang, who previously worked as a Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling Operator in the Middle East, sees the program as a stepping stone to joining the Pilmico team someday and growing his career close to his family.

“Kung ipagkakaloob po iyong chance na makapagtrabaho po rito sa PIlmico, iga-grab ko po iyon kasi malaking opportunity po sa akin iyon, para ma-enhance ko rin iyong natutunan ko rito sa training,” said Galang.

[English translation: “If I’m given the chance to work at Pilmico, I’ll definitely grab the opportunity because it would mean a lot to me. It would also help me further enhance what I’ve learned during the training.”]

Following the pilot run, Pilmico and IVTSI target to train up to 50 participants by the end of the year, enabling more aspiring professionals to build industry-relevant skills and pursue meaningful careers in the Philippine meat industry and beyond. Interested participants may reach out to IVTSI via its Facebook page.

As the partnership continues, Pilmico remains committed to investing in people and strengthening the food value chain through meaningful collaboration. Sharing its expertise and providing access to hands-on learning opportunities for students are part of how the company supports the next generation of food and agribusiness professionals. Through initiatives like these, Pilmico continues to live its purpose of becoming a trusted partner for growth—helping cultivate a skilled workforce that contributes to a safer, more resilient, and more sustainable food and agribusiness industry.