Berjaya Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country together with MFI Foundation Incorporated (formerly Meralco Foundation Inc.) will now begin the second phase of its ongoing partnership in MFI’s Industrial Technician Program (ITP).

Starting June 15, the first batch of 20 scholars who were accepted last year when the partnership started will be assigned to various Metro Manila Mazda dealerships for their One-Year OJT Training. “Mazda Philippines is looking forward to sharing its SKYACTIV technology and in-house work practices with the MFI scholars because we believe that proper training is key to providing quality service,” says Steven Tan, President and CEO of BAP.  He adds, “Not only do we hope to contribute to the future of these underprivileged youths, but we also want them to eventually contribute to the pool of Mazda technicians providing high quality service to the rapidly growing number of new Mazda vehicles. Through this program we aim to increase not just the competency but also the level of expertise of future automotive technicians, on a sustainable basis.”

Tan and former MFI Foundation, Inc. President Alejandro T. Escaño, signed the Memorandum of Agreement between the two parties last July 24, 2014. The TESDA-approved program was designed to select and educate scholars in Automotive Technology utilizing the Dual Training System. A total of 20 students were selected for the first year of the BAP-MFI scholarship.

Under the scholarship program, both BAP and MFI are involved in knowledge sharing and exchange of technology trends and on-site training activities. BAP has likewise donated Mazda car parts for use in the training of the scholars.

After one year of general and occupation-related theoretical instruction at the MFI Technological Institute, the first batch of students will now begin their OJT with the supervision of BAP and Mazda dealership trainers. The second batch of 20 scholars will start their first academic year in the program on June 22.