Aboitiz Economic Estates President and CEO Rafael Fernandez de Mesa (behind, 7th from the left)and Batangas State University President Dr Tirso Ronquillo (behind, 6th from the left) meet with major locators such as Maersk, Aice, Sohbi Kogei, Tosoh, and Nex Logistics to discuss their respective industry’s growing needs for human capital, skills development, and talent pipeline.
Lipa–Malvar, Batangas — Building on the momentum of the recent opening of the Batangas State University, The National Engineering University–LIMA Campus, Aboitiz Economic Estates is accelerating its long-term workforce sustainability agenda through a strengthened partnership with Batangas State University and the Aboitiz Foundation. Together, they are rolling out industry micro-credential programmes designed to upskill and reskill employees and locators within the estate.
Shaped by direct demand signals from companies operating in LIMA Estate, the initiative ensures that existing talent evolves in step with changing technologies, operational requirements, and global standards. Complemented by Aboitiz Economic Estates’ integrated development model, the program allows locators to focus on core operations while talent development is delivered seamlessly within the ecosystem.
Hosted at LIMA Estate’s Talent Edge Hub, the program represents a pioneering model within an industrial estate setting, embedding education close to where work happens. By aligning training with real-world operational needs, the approach strengthens workforce sustainability and enhances business agility amid rapid technological change.
World-Class Education, Anchored on Industry Needs
Aboitiz Economic Estates, Aboitiz Foundation, and Batangas State University formally inks its Memorandum of Agreement for its Industry Micro-Credentialing Programmes as part of its ongoing joint advocacy on continuing education and workforce development.
As the country’s National Engineering University, Batangas State University will deliver specialized and tailored courses developed alongside leading technology and industry partners, including Microsoft, Cisco Networking Academy, CIM Technologies, Geodata Systems Technologies, and Huawei. With tuition and training fees supported by the Aboitiz Foundation, sessions will be conducted at the Talent Edge Hub at LIMA Estate through in-person and hybrid formats, enabling applied, practice-oriented learning that directly supports day-to-day operations.
“Today, we come together in partnership to help prepare the next generation of Filipino engineers, technologists, and innovators who will power Batangas and the country’s continued progress.” shared Clifford M. Academia, Vice President and Head of the Industrial Commercial Business Unit at Aboitiz Economic Estates & Aboitiz Land. “At Aboitiz Economic Estates, we approach development as a comprehensive effort. Progress extends beyond building infrastructure—it means creating ecosystems that bring together business, government, and education, enabling sustainable growth and opportunity.”
LIMA Estate: A Fully Integrated, Industry-Anchored Ecosystem
LIMA Estate, the Philippines’ largest industry-anchored estate and the country’s first BERDE District Certified development, serves as a dynamic ecosystem where business, education, and innovation come together to drive sustainable growth and opportunity.
LIMA Estate reflects this integrated philosophy. From its origins as an industrial park, it has evolved into a fully integrated estate hosting nearly 200 global and local companies and supporting more than 75,000 jobs. The BatStateU LIMA Campus anchors education within this ecosystem, positioning learning as part of everyday economic activity rather than a parallel track.
Students and working professionals gain competencies in data management, networking, project planning and control, geographic information systems, and the Internet of Things, among others. By situating learning within the estate, companies are able to surface emerging skill requirements early, training is calibrated accordingly, and employees access continuing education with minimal disruption to productivity..
Continuous Learning for a Future-Ready Workforce
Batangas State University President Dr Tirso A Ronquillo previously led a learning session at the Talent Edge Hub @LIMA Estate as part of the National Engineering University’s mission to developing industry-relevant skills and competencies
“We remain committed to supporting the development of a more talented workforce within Aboitiz Economic Estates,” shared Batangas State University President, Dr Tirso Ronquillo. “We believe that by strengthening our capabilities, we can help foster more dynamic and advanced economic activity within the estate. Together, we are learning how to best complement the already capable Philippine workforce, reflecting one of the core tenets of outcomes-based education: continuous learning.”
As part of the broader initiative, Batangas State University is expanding industry-based lifelong learning pathways for working professionals through targeted, demand-driven training in high-growth fields, including specialised tracks in engineering and industrial technology. The program addresses workforce gaps through structured continuing education options such as micro-credentials and the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), recognising prior industry experience while opening pathways to emerging disciplines through flexible online and face-to-face formats.
Postgraduate education and flexible programs for management-track professionals further support evolving responsibilities, strengthening organizational capability and long-term resilience.
Sustained Collaboration, Real-World Impact
The 10-hectare Batangas State University – LIMA Campus, located within LIMA Estate’s Industrial Hub, will serve as the Philippines’ first learning hub for Industry-Based Learning—designed to advance the next generation of engineering education and strengthen the country’s position in Southeast Asia’s innovation landscape.
The Industry Advisory Board and Industry Advisory Councils brings the academe and industry experts into a shared table for collaboration and co-creation, shaping engineering and technology learning around real skills gaps while weaving artificial intelligence and real-world problem-solving into hands-on training. Through this partnership-led structure, local talent is better equipped to compete and thrive in a global industrial landscape.
“As we formalise this agreement, it serves as a reminder of the impact that shared purpose and aligned goals can achieve,” Academia added. “These programs strengthen the connection between education and industry, ensuring that learning translates into meaningful opportunities. They also reflect Aboitiz Economic Estates’ commitment to creating environments where people can grow, innovate, and succeed. By supporting education, we contribute to the resilience of communities and the competitiveness of industries.”
Building the Estate Advantage for Inclusive Growth
By treating education, industry, and community as interconnected pillars, Aboitiz Economic Estates proves its role as an end-to-end solutions provider, shaping a workforce prepared for evolving industrial realities and emerging opportunities. Through deliberate, long-term partnerships, the estate advances inclusive growth while reinforcing its position as a future-ready, industry-anchored ecosystem.
