Knauf Gypsum Philippines, the country’s leading manufacturer of drywall and joint compounds, recently opened its first drywall training center in the country.
Dubbed the “Knauf Academy,” the facility aims to fill a gap in the need for more skilled workers in the Philippine construction industry.
Knauf Philippines Managing Director Mark Sergio said the establishment of the academy is an important milestone for Knauf in the Philippines, which is the first drywall training center in the country, and Knauf is very proud of it.
“The purpose of the training center is twofold: we want to ensure that we can improve the competency, quality of workmanship and skills of Filipino installers. We also want to ensure that, as a result, we can provide our architects, developers and contractor partners with the best customer experience,” he stressed.
In addition, he said another part of the goal is to be able to help increase the employability of skilled Filipino workers in the construction industry, especially in drywall installation. “Most of our installers in the Philippines actually learned the technique on the job and later became foremen themselves and eventually became owners of their own small contracting businesses. We want to make sure we improve their livelihoods too. ,” Sergio added.
Alexander Schmidt, Acting Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in the Philippines, is proud that as a German company, Knauf has partnered with the German Investment and Development Corporation or DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft). This move will further promote good economic relations between Germany and the Philippines.
The Knauf Academy can accommodate up to 18 participants and is spread over two floors and is divided into three main areas: The rooms on the second floor are equipped with classrooms where students can learn the theory of plaster and other standard drywall and ceiling installation techniques ; the reception and showroom area on the ground floor, complete with a small snack bar where trainees can hang out during breaks; and finally the workshop area, also on the ground floor, where trainees can theoretically learn through a variety of simulated drywall installations apply their knowledge to practical applications and assess their abilities.
The Academy’s training modules will help trainees acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills in standard plasterboard and ceiling installations. The 16-hour course will instill basic knowledge and practical skills in interior wall and ceiling system installation to help secure employment and hopefully strengthen the skills of Filipinos, making them more attractive targets among construction industry players.
Module 1 is an introduction to gypsum board, where participants will learn about the history of gypsum board, the production process, benefits, various types of gypsum board, handling and storage, repair and cutting.
Modules 2 and 3, on the other hand, involve teaching students standard partition and recessed ceiling system installation, introducing them to drywall, stud layout, standard partition components and tools, and other procedures. This is also the stage where the trainee is introduced to practical training, which involves instruction and practical application of what has been learned.
Finally, Module 4 is about taping and joining, the type of joining product used and the level of finish, considerations in joining, application, joining deviations and inspection, followed by practical training with practical application.
Upon completion of the training, trainees should already be familiar with basic safety protocols, identify different types of drywall and their appropriate applications, be familiar with the components of standard drywall partitions and ceiling systems, understand drywall and ceiling installation methods, detailed connections and techniques , learn quick and easy ways to repair drywall and avoid damage and waste with proper drywall handling and storage.
Sergio said they ensured that the facility itself and the modules not only follow Knauf standards, but also take into account the situation in the Philippines. “We should also understand how our installers learn, and we can build on that by modifying the modules with a focus on practical training,” he said.
Sergio added that each course can also be further expanded to cater for upcoming innovative Knauf products and systems in the Philippines.
The Knauf Academy is open to aspiring plasterboard and ceiling installers who wish to improve their knowledge of plasterboard installation, architects, engineers, interior designers, students and other partners in the construction industry.
Knauf College is located at Block 11, Block 35 Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Ave, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. For more information on Knauf Academy and how to join the training group, please email knaufacademyph@knauf.com or call (+63) 29116709 ext 4. For additional details, visit www.knaufapac.com/en_ph.
Knauf Gypsum Philippines, Inc. is a manufacturing company that produces drywall and joint compounds. It is also a rapidly growing brand of drywall used in various residential, commercial and industrial projects in the country. Knauf products include wall, ceiling, joining and finishing compounds, acoustic panels and ceiling tiles, acoustic suspension systems, including metal systems.
