Pilipinas Shell's 'Gas Mo, Bukas Ko' program fuels pump attendants' success

Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) has helped the oil company's manpower get better career opportunities with its Gas Mo, Bukas Ko (GMBK) program.

Since the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) program created in 1983 up to the current GMBK initiative that started in 2007, Pilipinas Shell has already assisted more than 5,000 forecourt service attendants locally.

Pilipinas Shell said that the aforementioned number benefitted from the program with the training and the long-term employment opportunities given to retail station staff members.

One of the GMBK’s beneficiaries is Richard Sazon, who now leads Shell Clark Pampanga station.

Sazon said that the GMBK has opened doors of hope to Shell station forecourt service attendants.

During the early part of his career at Pilipinas Shell, Sazon had difficulties trying to earn a living: he did not know how to use a computer, could not read well, and had problems with co-workers.

After being given another chance to prove his worth, Sazon took his work seriously and earned a slot at the GMBK scholarship program in 2009 due to his consistently high ratings.

The training teaches participants valuable technical-vocational courses such as structural welding, consumer electronics, food and beverage servicing, automotive mechanics, bookkeeping, and basic computer skills. But prior to the skills upgrade, scholars had to undergo a Leadership Enhancement and Attitude Development (LEAD) workshop first to uplift their morale and self-esteem.

Just like every scholar, Sazon received material support from Pilipinas Shell like school supplies, transportation allowance, and other resources needed for the training.

“Bilang scholar ng Shell, tumataas ang respeto mo sa sarili mo at nagiging responsable ka sa trabaho. Mas ramdam  mo ang pagmamahal ng Shell at ng dealer mo sa iyo dahil sa dagdag kaalaman na ibinigay nila sa iyo, (As a Shell scholar, your self-respect increases as you become more responsible at work. You greatly feel the love of Shell and your dealer through the additional knowledge that they have shared to you),” Sazon noted.

Sazon also said that the GMBK improved his mindset towards work and attributes his success to the complete character turnaround. Now, as a leader, he wants to give back to others.

“Maniwala lang kayo sa proseso, I-grab ninyo ang opportunity kasi isang beses lang yan darating. Oo, sa una mahirap yang ibibigay nilang obligasyon. Pero after ng hirap, makakamit din ninyo ang ligaya at darating ang pagkakataon na kayo naman ang mag-mo-motivate at mag-i-inspire sa mga staff ninyo dahil sa mga naging karanasan ninyo bago kayo naging station manager. Matuto din kayo lumingon sa mga taong tumulong sa inyo noong panahong hindi niyo pa alam ang direksyon ng buhay ninyo (Have faith in the process and grab the opportunity as it only comes once. At first, the duties that will be entrusted to you will be tough. But after the hardships, you will achieve happiness and will be the one motivating and inspiring staff members because of the experiences you have encountered before becoming a station manager. Also, learn to look back and acknowledge the people who have helped you when you did not yet know what direction in life you will be taking)," Sazon furthered.

Photos from Pilipinas Shell

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