by Jason Tulio
The facility is part of Ford’s corporate social responsibility efforts to support educational development. The carmaker invested a total of P2,500,000 into the new workshop, which includes a classroom fit for 50 students, rotary vehicle lifts, and cabinets filled with specialized tools to enable hands-on training and simulation exercises.
“We’ve had a fantastic partnership with Don Bosco since 2004, working together on a series of initiatives that help develop the technical skills and experience of the TVET students, which leads to even better career opportunities,” said Ford Philippines managing director Lance Mosley in a statement.
During the course of their partnership, Ford has routinely recruited technicians directly from Don Bosco’s programs. In addition to student training, Mosley shared that the facility will also be used to conduct Ford’s factory certified training for its current technicians.
"Ford’s thrust of going further aligns perfectly with our philosophy of helping the youth become technically competent so they, too, can go further in their lives," said Fr. Jose Dindo Vitug, technical director of the Don Bosco Manpower Skills Training Center.
During the inauguration, it was announced that Ford will be sponsoring 25 deserving out-of-school youth with full scholarships. The scholarships will grant students the chance to attend a 15-month automotive technical course at the new facility. The program is part of Ford’s "School-to-Work" initiative.
The third-party administrator for the scholarship’s selection process will be the American Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The organization will help screen candidates, monitor student performance, and find employment opportunities for graduates at Ford dealerships. The scholarship program is fully funded by Ford and is valued at more than P1,600,000.
"We’re looking to invest in 25 highly capable students here at Don Bosco who show a lot of potential and are interested in automotive careers. We’re providing these scholarships to support them and to facilitate getting a start in the automotive industry," Mosley said.
Source: Top Gear PH
