Story & photos by Tet Andolong
DUE to poverty, many children from poor families all over the country lose hope of leading better lives because they are unable to go to school and earn a degree. With scarce employment opportunities, most especially for those without any skills, training or education, many Filipino youth end up bitter, frustrated and homeless, which forces them to turn to life on the streets or work in harsh conditions.
When Perfecto Pacala III of Palo, Leyte, heard that Isuzu Philippines was offering a free, two-year Advanced Automotive Mechanic Course, he applied. Out of 684 applicants, Isuzu only accepted 36 of them including Pacala. “My mother is a housewife. My stepfather is a balabal driver. I have three siblings and I just wanted to help my family,” said Pacala. “There are times when we only had two meals a day and my siblings didn’t have food in school,” recalled Pacala.
Pacala went through the two-year course and his efforts have paid off as he emerged as the valedictorian of his class, which is the 16th batch of scholars produced by the Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) Japan-funded Auto Mechanic Training Center of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Tacloban, Leyte.
“I never thought that I would go back to school but because of Isuzu, I was able to do it. We were able to do it. The experience has changed my life. Now, we’ll be able to help our families. Words are not enough to express our gratitude to Isuzu for the support that they have given us. We will forever be grateful to Isuzu and Tesda. To my fellow graduates, never give up on what you want to do in life. Now, our dreams will become reality. Let us show the world that we are the best mechanics,” said Pacala in his valedictory speech during the commencement exercise that formally recognized 16 male and two female students as NC4-certified automotive service technicians.
The graduation ceremony of the 16th batch of the Isuzu-Tesda Auto Mechanic Training Program was held on August 28, 2019, at the Tesda Region 8 Training Center Compound in Barangay Abucay, Tacloban City, where 18 students including Pacala graduated from.
“Your certificate will increase your chance of getting you a job in the automotive industry,” said IML Executive Officer Hirokazu Okubo after the graduation ceremony. “You will have a bright future. Congratulations!”
The 18 graduates came up on stage to receive their certificates and the moment the youngsters received their certificates, most of them were teary-eyed and highly emotional as their parents tearfully embraced them, knowing that their lives have most likely turned for the better from now on.
Pacala has been hired by IPC He starts working this month.
In his speech, IPC President Hajime Koso said, “Today, we are here at the Isuzu-Tesda Auto Mechanic Training Center to witness the graduation ceremony of our 16th batch of Isuzu scholars. Since 2008, Isuzu has been in coordination with Tesda Region 8 and World Vision, in supporting under privilege youths to attain automotive servicing courses, which we offer for free to deserving youths in this region. As of today, we already have 248 trainees, which are now working in various Isuzu dealerships and service shops, both domestic and international, and we are very proud of the level of competency the school has to offer and the impact it has made to our students and their families.”
Conceptualized by IML, the vocational training program, which began in in November 2008, has seen IML, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) and Tesda collaborate to create an impact on the lives of a total of 266 disadvantaged youth. IML supports the Isuzu-Tesda Auto Mechanic Training Center Project by providing funds needed for the project’s operation, while IPC provided the technical guidance to both students and trainers. On the other hand, Tesda provided the training center with all the needed equipment to implement the training programs up to the standards of National Certificate (NC) Levels III and IV. NCIV is the highest level of certification that is offered in the country and only Isuzu-Tesda Auto Mechanic Training Center in Tacloban, Leyte, meets the standard.
After the trainees’ graduate, both entities actively endorse these graduates to industry firms (preferably within the IPC network) that need highly skilled mechanics for permanent jobs.
These certifications enable them to have the opportunity to work at Isuzu Global Services Corp., IPC, Isuzu Auto Parts Manufacturing Corp., various Isuzu dealerships, and other local service shops and companies. Having these skills also makes them very competitive and sought-after abroad. They also get to join the World Skills Competition (Automotive Division) in which one of their graduates, Neil Cutcharo was recently awarded fourth place out of 46 representatives from other countries in the last competition in August, which was held in Russia.
With training modules provided by Tesda, IML spends more than P300,000 for each student, taking care of their board and lodging, as well as supplying them with toiletries, textbooks and uniforms. All scholars are required to live in a dormitory inside Tesda campus for two years. Food, board and lodging are provided by Isuzu-Tesda partner, World Vision.
Image credits: Tet Andolong