INTRODUCING: NATCCO’S Knowledge Resource Center
The NATCCO Knowledge Resource Center or KRC is the newest unit within the Education, Training, and Consultancy Group (ETCG). Its main objective is to act as a primary source of knowledge for every cooperative, serving as the Research and Development arm of the federation to design programs that directly addresses the competency-development needs of primary cooperatives.
Knowledge Resource Center (KRC) is the foundation of the Cooperative Academy of NATCCO (CAN). The academy’s role is to inculcate the values of cooperative movements among its member cooperatives, as well as to NATCCO internal employees.
KRC gathers and collects NATCCO’s information, educational programs, training programs, materials, books and manuals that will help cooperatives operate better. The consolidated knowledge resources are utilized to institutionalize cooperatives’ best practices, and use it as learning materials for the network. As a federation, we have the responsibility to impart cooperative values, knowledge, information, skills and experiences to all members. CAN will assess if the programs of the academy generated significant social impact to the cooperatives’ members.
primary cooperatives its first program entitled Cooperative Leadership Management Program or Co-op LAMP. The pilot run last July 2-6, 2018 was given to managers of NATCCO head office with eight (8) managers/leaders from primary cooperatives. It took them 5 intensive days of case readings and discussions. The 30 graduates of the pilot run were senior staff of the NATCCO and member cooperatives.
Participants found the training grueling but highly infused with knowledge and practical or applicable cases, thus enhancing their critical thinking skills. It was hard for the first batch to fully appreciate the program because of the intensive demand of the program. Thus, to improve the mini-MBA program specifically designed for the co-ops, Bayan Academy and NATCCO Knowledge Resource Center agreed to spread the materials in to three (3) months or an equivalent of ten (10) days to complete the program.
The second run of Co-op LAMP was held on October to December 2018. With the strategy of spreading the program into three (3) modules, the KRC team was able to strike a balance. Batch 2 of Co-op LAMP were composed of Chairpersons, CEOs, and Branch Managers of NATCCO Network’s cooperative members. Also, with this batch, the registration of the title for “Certified Cooperative Manager” (CCM) was approved by Intellectual Property Office (IPO). CCM badges were then granted to 19 graduates.
Right after Co-op LAMP 2, the research team started working on actual case studies in the cooperative industry. Thus, writing its own co-op case materials. Finally, on March 2019 the first official release of Co-op LAMP was announced. As of current, after seven (7) months operations, the program was run three (3) times from the date of its official launch. Now, total graduates for Co-op LAMP from Batch 1 to Batch 5 totals one hundred six (106), and out of these graduates, we were able to grant 85 Certified Cooperative Manager badges.
By November 29, graduates of Co-op LAMP gathered the 1st CCM Summit: The Co-op LAMP Graduates homecoming in Tagaytay City. The CAN Faculty plan to constantly meet with graduates, get feedback, and share knowledge and wisdom from their personal experiences.
NATCCO Knowledge Resource Center offers the following programs:
(Co-op LAMP) Cooperative Leadership And Management Program is a mini-MBA program that can be completed in ten (10) days. Completion of this program entitles them to receive a Certified Cooperative Manager (CCM) title. CCM is not only a certification but allows title holder to gain more access to knowledge resources and discounts with NATCCO’s training programs.
Strategic HR Management Program (SHRMP) is a comprehensive training on HR Management and strategic applications of developmental programs for the employees of the cooperatives. This will allow participants to gain skills in HR management. All functions of the HR department shall be thoroughly discussed and case studies are also utilized to enhance the critical thinking skills of our HR management practitioners.
Learning Methodologies and Materials (LMMD) is a training of trainers (TOT) module that focuses on “WholeBrain” approach to learning and holistic approach to adult learning. Participants would learn different training approaches and how to write case studies as materials for teaching or facilitation. It also provides materials on the principles and values of the cooperative movement.
By Rose Gob