DO you know that Toyota is the only car company in the country that has a school that solely caters to vehicle concerns?
Indeed, the world’s No. 1 automaker has not stopped exploring all avenues geared to both community/national development and the advancement of motorization interests worldwide.
Just recently, the Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology (TMP Tech) in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, held its first commencement exercises for 110 students from their two-year Toyota General Job Automotive Serving Course. They are now eligible for local and overseas Toyota employment.
I had wanted to cover the graduation exercises but for a family commitment I couldn’t avoid.
Doors opened in 2013
TMP Tech opened its doors in 2013 with the vision to pursue world-class technical education on motoring. Toyota was pleasantly surprised to absorb students from different regions of the country—proof that there is sharp interest in motorization nationwide.
The school’s thrust is aimed at developing highly trainable and capable Filipino youths to ensure a stable pipeline of automotive professionals for technology expertise and, at the same time, endeavoring to serve the ever-increasing demand for after-sales service manpower. As TMP Tech’s mission says: “We recognize the industry’s strategic need for a significant training hub in the Asia-Pacific region to harness human resource potentials.”
During the ceremonies, TMP President Michinobu “The Rocker” Sugata said: “Through TMP Tech, we shall leverage our technical, financial and human resources in order to catalyze national development. This first batch of graduates shall pave the way for future generations of Filipino Toyota professionals who shall complement and support the growing Philippine automotive industry by helping to level up the quality of Toyota’s overall technical expertise and after-sales service.”
Of the initial batch of 110 graduates, 96 will be gainfully employed by TMP and its local dealer network, while 11 will transition to the Specialized Toyota Automotive Training Program (STATP) to be eventually deployed to exclusive Toyota dealerships in Saudi Arabia. While these Filipino youth will soon fulfill the vision of the school’s founders, they will also become part of the country’s local automotive industry en route to becoming productive role members of society.
Dr. Go’s pitch
FOR his part, TMP Tech President Dr. David Go said: “This day signifies your readiness to take the next great step in fulfilling your goal of attaining a better future for yourselves and for your families while you perform your important role as nation-builders.”
Alfred V. Ty, the TMP vice chairman, issued a stern challenge on the graduates, whom he exhorted to “become ambassadors of the Toyota Way.” He said: “Remember that wherever you will be, you bear with you the name of Toyota. Hence, the values that Toyota has been known for, such as quality, excellence and customer first, should be practiced at all times.” The school is unique in that it is not all theory and strict classroom stuff at TMP Tech. To further strengthen the students’ academic background, they are subjected to extensive on-the-job training at local Toyota dealerships to ensure that their exposure will make them a complete package.
Emotional Rene So
SAID Sugata-san further: “Two years ago, this world-class technical school was inaugurated through the efforts of its founders, Toyota Motor Philippines Chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty and Toyota Motor Corp. Honorary Chairman Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda. With their vision and in collaboration with the Philippine government and our various partners, TMP’s goal of making the Philippines a human resource development hub for global Toyota has now become a reality. I dream that someday, the Toyota vehicles in operation worldwide will be taken care of by highly skilled Filipino technicians.”
Rene So, the president of Toyota Dealers Association, said: “Every time I attend a graduation ceremony, I am drowned with emotions of feeling proud, excited, accomplished, happy and nervousness. You tell yourselves: ‘Finally, all the hard work, the long days, the sleepless nights have paid off.’ I can attest and relate to what you, graduates, are feeling right now because those are the exact emotions I had 36 years ago when I graduated.”
To be frank, Rene, coowner of Toyota dealerships in Baguio and Dagupan cities and San Fernando, La Union, had a very moving speech. It is quite long, though, and I will print it here in full in future columns.
Did I not say I collect speeches? In fact, I have a book containing all the speeches of past American presidents. Love it.
PEE STOP. The BMW 2 Series goes with a 20-percent down payment, complimentary chattel mortgage fee, one-year comprehensive insurance and three-year BMW inclusive service. BMW’s Xpo 2015 is from September 25 to 27 at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig…Kia’s “Cool Weather Specials” offer a P40,000 discount for Rio and P80,000 discount for Sportage. An old vehicle traded comes with a P20,000 savings for Sportage and P10,000 for Rio. The promos are up to September 24…Thank you for the unending kindness of Bacolod’s Robert Uy…And finally, a warm birthday greeting to my esteemed friend, Ramon Uy, the kindly hubby of beauteous May Sison Uy of Bacolod City. Mutual friends like Sahlee and Johnny Tan, Marvin-Pia and Baby Velayo, and writer-journalist Sol F. Juvida also wish Ramon many more birthdays to come. Cheers for beers!