Second batch of Isuzu-TESDA scholars graduates

MANILA, Philippines - The Isuzu-Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Auto Mechanic Training Center has graduated its second batch of scholars, made up of 29 scholars picked from qualified but underprivileged youth in the country. The training center is a project of Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan (IML), TESDA and Plan Philippines.

The 13 male and 16 female students from this batch will have the opportunity to work at Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), Isuzu Auto Parts Manufacturing Corp. (IAMC), various Isuzu dealerships, and other local service shops and companies. Isuzu is not the only place where the graduates of the training center can find employment in. IPC encourages its affiliates, suppliers and even companies it doesn’t do business with, to also hire the young auto technicians. One of the goals of the training center is to uplift the quality of automotive education in the Philippines for the benefit of the local car industry in general and not just Isuzu. In fact, graduates belonging to the second batch will also land jobs at several bus companies, including Don Mariano, Jell Bus Transport and G-Liner.

Students of the TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center earn the highest certification (known as NC4) in the field of automotive service after a two-year course. They also get an NC2 certification in driving by the time they graduate. Besides the technical skills, the students are trained in the other aspects of the car business, like teamwork, customer relations and planning.

“It has only been two-and-a-half years since the inauguration of the Isuzu-TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center, and we are having already the second commencement exercises,” said Isuzu Motors Limited Chairman Yoshinori Ida during the graduation ceremony held last May 10. “The first-batch students have earned a good reputation at their workplace because of their skills and knowledge. You are expected to do as well. Your families and we at Isuzu are full of optimism for you.”

The Leyte-based training center successfully graduated its first batch of scholars in November last year, with 25 scholars subsequently landing jobs at IPC, IAMC, and Isuzu dealers. They are currently contractual employees about to enter the probationary phase.

“Words are not enough to express our gratitude to Isuzu for the support that they have given us,” said Batch 2 top-notcher Rojey Garcia during the commencement exercises. “To my fellow graduates, never give up on what you want to do in life. It’s our time to excel. Let us show the world the best that we can be.”

With the graduation of Batch 2, the auto mechanic training center also welcomes to its fold the sixth batch of scholars, composed of 18 students. This brings to 67 the total number of active scholars. Batch 3, which is scheduled to graduate in November, has 15 scholars; Batch 4 has 16 scholars; and Batch 5 has 18 scholars.

The Isuzu-TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center is Isuzu’s way of giving back to society. One-hundred percent of the training center’s first batch of graduates were employed after their on-the-job training. According to their employers, these graduates were easy to teach, could be left alone by themselves, came to work early and got along with each other quite well. They also displayed more competent skills than trainees from other vocational schools. In the last Isuzu Service Olympics, two of these graduates were asked by their employers to participate.