Tacloban, Leyte, November 2023 - The Isuzu-TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center, a cornerstone of the Isuzu Heart & Smile Project (IHSP), marks its 15th anniversary with a grand celebration from November 16 to 18 in Tacloban, Leyte. This milestone event not only commemorates the center's longstanding commitment to providing free technical service education to underprivileged youths in the Visayas but also highlights the successful collaboration between Isuzu Motors Limited Japan (IML), World Vision, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Since its inception in 2008, the center has been a beacon of hope, offering National Competency (NC) levels I to IV technical education to those in need. To date, it has proudly graduated 367 service technicians, many of whom have found rewarding careers within the Isuzu dealer network both in the Philippines and overseas.
The anniversary celebration was marked by several key events, including the graduation of Batch 20 scholars and the welcoming of Batch 24 trainees. The new batch will benefit from a comprehensive 2-year technical education program, complete with free board and lodging. An in-house Skills Competition also showcased the talents of current trainees, simulating the experience of competing in the prestigious Isuzu World Technical Competition.
A highlight of the festivities was the Family Day and Grand Reunion Ball organized by the school’s Alumni Association. This event brought together alumni for a day of fun, games, and camaraderie, culminating in a celebration of the achievements of former trainees.
Distinguished guests included Mr. Hirokazu Okubo, Executive Vice President for Administration at Isuzu Motors Limited, and Mr. Tetsuya Fujita of Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), both of whom expressed their delight and congratulations on the continued success of the partnership.
In a gesture of ongoing support, a donation ceremony was held where IPC and IML contributed additional vehicles, including modern Isuzu PUVs, mu-X, and D-MAX pickups, to aid in the daily operations of the training center.
Mr. Fujita, in his speech, emphasized the importance of the graduates' "success stories" as a source of inspiration for current and future trainees. "You are the very reason why IML and its project partners continue to support this noble endeavor thousands of miles away from Japan," Fujita stated, acknowledging the profound impact of the program on the lives of the youth and their families.
As the Isuzu-TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center looks forward to more years of creating success stories, it remains a testament to the power of collaboration and the enduring commitment of IML and its partners to changing lives through education.
About the Isuzu-TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center
The Isuzu-TESDA Automechanic Training Center, founded in 2008 under the Isuzu Heart & Smile Project, offers free technical service education to underprivileged youths in the Visayas. Through a partnership between Isuzu Motors Limited Japan, World Vision, and TESDA, the center equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the automotive service industry.