Isuzu Philippines Corporation, in pursuit of its corporate social responsibility objective of uplifting the lives of the youth through free training and education, held last month the graduation ceremonies of the 15th batch of the Isuzu-TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Program at the TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) Region 8 Training Center Compound in Barangay Abucay, Tacloban City, Leyte province.

On the same occasion, IPC and TESDA conducted the recognition ceremony for the 16th and 17th batches of the Program.

Started in November 2008 conceptualized by Isuzu Motors Limited (IML), the vocational training program has seen IML, IPC, and TESDA collaborating to impact the lives of a total of 248 disadvantaged youth. IML supports the ISUZU-TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center Project by providing funds needed for the project operation while IPC has provided technical guidance to both students and trainers. On the other hand, TESDA provides the training center, equipped with all the needed equipment, to implement the training programs up to National Certificate (NC) Levels III and IV. After the trainees’ graduation, both entities actively endorse these graduates to industry firms (preferably within the IPC network) that need highly skilled mechanics for permanent jobs.

The 15th batch had a total of 18 graduates come up on stage to receive their certificates. The moment these youngsters receive their certificates have often been a highly emotional experience, as their parents tearfully embrace their sons or daughters, knowing that their lives have most likely turned for the better from then on.

Thirty two of them have chosen to work overseas and the number is increasing year by year. In October 2018, two of the graduates joined a dealership in Tokyo, Japan and one graduate currently works for Isuzu.

With executives and officers of Isuzu Motors Limited from Japan, IPC, and BM Domingo Motor Sales Inc as witnesses, the graduating Batch 15 students as well as the upcoming Batch 16 and 17 trainees gathered together with their families to convey their gratitude for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.