QUEZON CITY, Metro Manila—With the crucial role of agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in the sustainable growth of the sector, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), through its Career Development and Management Division (CDMD), conducted a technical guidance session to ensure their continual professional growth.

Some 25 staff of the ATI-CDMD and Human Resource Management Unit participated in the two-day activity, which mainly familiarized them on the basics of creating a career development program.

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of National Defense College of the Philippines Dr. Theresita Atienza served as the resource person for the activity. While discussing the concept and theory of career development, Dr. Atienza highlighted career development as a shared responsibility between the person and the organization. She underscored the role of local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Agriculture, through the ATI, as champions in the career path of municipal and provincial agriculture offices.

Likewise, she stressed the importance of human resource in influencing the career development of an agency in terms of training and development; performance appraisal; and compensation planning and remuneration.

As part of the activities during the orientation, the participants proposed interventions based on the functional training requirements of the Institute's clients. They also prepared action plans to identify activities and timeline for the preparation in drafting the career development plan for AEWs.

The activity was held on February 19-20, 2018 at Fersal Hotel in the said city.