Isuzu, TESDA, World Vision welcome latest batch of trainees in AMTRAC

Isuzu — together with World Vision and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) — celebrated the graduation of the 19th batch of trainees under the Isuzu Heart and Smile Project and welcomed the 23rd batch of students at the Auto Mechanic Training Center (AMTRAC) in Tacloban, Leyte.

 Present at the ceremonies were Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) Administration Senior Executive Officer Hirokazu Okubo; Isuzu Shutoken Senior Executive Officer Ryuichi Shibata; World Vision Executive Director Rommel Fuerte, TESDA VIII Regional Director Gamaliel Vicente Jr., TESDA Leyte Provincial Director Rolando Bade and Tacloban City Council Member Dr. Elvira Casal.

Per Isuzu Philippines Corporation, a total of 16 trainees graduated from Automotive Servicing National Certificate IV, the highest qualification for Automotive Servicing. They shall be deployed to their respective employers after graduation. Out of the aforementioned number, 12 are set to be dispatched to different Isuzu Dealerships nationwide while the remaining four will continue their studies at Isuzu Global Service Corporation.

During the program, Okubo encouraged the graduates to excel in their work and contribute to the development of the Philippines.

Apart from providing education to the underprivileged youth in the country, the project is also aimed to produce globally-competitive automotive mechanics that will contribute to the further development of the industry locally.

Meanwhile, the newly-welcomed batch is made up of 18 students carefully selected out of the 600 hopefuls from different areas of the region.

“Studying and graduating from this school will earn you a full-time job in the Philippines auto industry. You will also increase an opportunity to work in the automotive sector around the world,” Okubo noted. With the promise of landing a job opportunity at the end of the training program, applicants had to undergo a series of examinations and interviews to finally be admitted to the AMTRAC.

For his part, World Vision Executive Director Rommel Fuerte expressed elation over the partnership. “We at World Vision feel blessed to be entrusted with this ministry of achieving hope, joy, and justice for all children. The AMTRAC is one of those programs that is born of partnership and service to the youth.”

Established by IML in partnership with World Vision Development Foundation and TESDA, the Isuzu Heart and Smile Project is dedicated to produce highly-skilled and globally-competitive auto mechanics that are ready for employment by the end of the two-year program. Despite the pandemic, the project pushed through and was able to create 367 skilled individuals who have completed two-year Automotive Servicing courses since 2008.

Aside from free education and accommodation to all trainees, the project also aims to provide careers in the automotive industry for all graduates. The project has since guaranteed a 91-percent employment rate — helping lessen the country’s unemployment and underemployment rate.

Photos from Isuzu Philippines Corporation

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Isuzu PH, TESDA Hold Graduation Ceremonies for 15th Batch of Auto Mechanic Training Program in Tacloban City