The journey to DMDP
In 2017, I began my journey to acquire a National Certificate 2 (NC2) in Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) with the help of Cebu City's Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP). It was through a colleague, who was studying for a teaching qualification, that I learned about the opportunity to acquire an NC2 certificate at DMDP. The department offered various vocational courses, and I chose to study in the electrical field. Growing up, I witnessed my father working as a contractor on different construction projects, and this exposure to electrical and other construction tools inspired me to pursue EIM.
The start of my EIM
journey
The first day of class was a unique experience for me. I found myself in a class with classmates from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and some had working experience related to EIM. Our instructor, Sir Third, was a unique individual with wonderful teaching experience in the field of EIM. He had a flexible character and could adjust to any of his student’s behaviors. Sir Third was also excellent at facilitating the class and explaining the procedures in a way that forced us to think. Admittedly, Sir Third was among the best and most remarkable teachers that I have encountered in my learning life. (I wish I had the time to show gratitude for everything I have learned from him.)
During our classes, we learned about wire splicing, electrical theories, wiring, electrical connections, bending of pipes (both metal and PVCs), electrical motors, CCTV, and solar panels. We spent five months learning and engaging in different class activities.
The fun part
In Sir Third’s EIM class, we had other activities that kept us motivated and made learning enjoyable. One such activity was the Friday boodle fight. Whenever we completed projects or activities, we celebrated with a boodle fight, and fortunately, we had classmates who were good cooks. This humble celebration not only allowed us to build camaraderie but also gave us the chance to learn from one another.
The NC2 test
The NC2 test was quite suspenseful because the idea of failing meant repeating the whole process. However, in Sir Third's class, he assured us that we would pass if we worked on the drills and did our best. On the day of the test, we all passed, and as expected, we celebrated with a big boodle fight.
Looking Back
The entire EIM journey I had with Sir Third was one of a kind, and I did not expect it to turn out that way. It was an experience filled with fun interactions, sweat, and teamwork. I learned more from Sir Third's character as a teacher compared to the EIM drills, and I have even applied some of the EIM skills in my current profession.