A GOOD Samaritan recently came to the aid of local, marginalized youth and hopes to transform them into world-class craftsmen someday.

With the start of the first training facility of its kind in the country—dubbed as the Porsche Training Recruitment Centre Asia—Robert Coyiuto Jr., chairman of PGA Cars Inc., thought it was about time that “we start creating a pool of manpower to sustain the expected increase in the need of top-qualified technicians with the rise of luxury cars such as Porsche.”

Porsche is considered as the world’s biggest sports car manufacturer that churns out 250 units per month and distributes them worldwide. Aside from its regular customers in Europe, the United States and Asia (including the Philippines), Porsche sees China, Korea and Taiwan as the emerging markets for their new model cars.

Late last year, Porsche, PGA Cars Inc. and the Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) of Makati forged a tie-up during an elaborate launch at the 7,000-square-meter head office in Ortigas, where 13 students were presented as the first batch of the recruitment center’s scholars. No less than top honchos of Porsche planed in from Germany—Christer Ekberg, managing director of Porsche Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd; after-sales manager Herwart Fleischer; and even German Embassy commercial counselor Sabine Honer were present to witness the event.

“This new breed of Porsche technicians is a source of pride not only for PGA Cars but also for the country,” Coyiuto added. “We are targeting about 40 students annually from the Don Bosco Technical Institute Manpower Skills Training Center as trainees. They will obtain not just technical training but also access to the Porsche information network, which is exclusive to Porsche partners.”

Under the program, the Don Bosco Technical Institute will provide basic technical training for all the chosen scholars. Those who have completed this training successfully will advance to the Porsche Training and Recruitment Centre Asia located within PGA Cars’ premises in Ortigas, where Porsche will provide a specialist-training program that will groom them into highly qualified automotive mechanics and electricians.

Graduates from the scheme will then be recruited for the extensive Porsche Centre network upon completion of their training. A certified Porsche Master Technician will be coming to reside in the country to teach the nitty-gritty of the Porsche cars on a regular basis. A Level 3 Gold-certified technician and trainor from Porsche AG will mentor the selected students also at the PGA Cars head office in Ortigas. In addition to technical-training classes, all students will need to attend mandatory English lessons throughout the training program, as well as seminars on effective communication skills provided by an external consultant.

Why were Don Bosco students chosen for the particular project? Coyiuto revealed to BusinessMirror that his company has had a good relationship with the school from long before. “I found the students there very cooperative, with good behavior and good working ethics. I am very much impressed with them, that’s why I chose Don Bosco students to be the first beneficiaries of this worthwhile project,” Coyiuto said.

PGA Cars, Inc. already had a scholarship and apprenticeship program with DBTI several years back. Auto technicians/mechanics taken in by PGA Cars as trainees had manifested hard work, resourcefulness and a discernible passion for cars, according to Coyiuto.

Although it was not revealed in the media conference, BusinessMirror learned from Coyiuto himself that the Robert Coyiuto Foundation will fund the everyday needs and expenses of the scholars while undergoing the extensive training program. “I don’t want to announce it anymore, but the expenses of these students will be shouldered by our foundation. It will be somewhat expensive, but it is our own way of helping our less fortunate but deserving students.”

“Once they finish the world-class training program that ensures a permanent exchange between theory and practice, the successful trainees will then be deployed to work as Porsche-certified mechanics to Porsche’s worldwide dealership network, thus securing an outstanding future for themselves and their families,” Coyiuto added. “I think this will have a great impact on their lives, and also fulfill their dreams!”

The creation of the center also showcases the strategy of PGA Cars Inc., the sole importer and distributor of Porsche cars in the Philippines, to respond to the requirements of the global auto industry and make significant investment on a worthwhile undertaking as a pioneer auto-training facility in Asia.

For his part, Ekberg said, “It is an honor for me to be here with you on this great day. Porsche Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd., in collaboration with PGA Cars and the Don Bosco Technical Institute, are proud to announce that their joint venture, the Porsche Training and Recruitment Centre Asia, is now established in the Philippines.”

“The Porsche Training and Recruitment Centre Asia will address the increasing demand for qualified automotive technicians at Porsche centers in emerging markets around the world. Recruiting qualified automotive technicians is the key to providing professional support at our Porsche centers, as Porsche is a manufacturer using state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technology,” Ekberg said.

Counselor Honer also applauded the new program, saying “it makes us very happy that Porsche, together with PGA Cars, is going to provide training and assured jobs for disadvantaged ‘out-of-school youth’ here in the Philippines.

“This shows not only the high regard that Porsche has for its Philippine partner, PGA Cars. It is also one more example of the appreciation that German companies have in the skills and capabilities of Filipino workers. Porsche and PGA Cars will soon make their significant contribution through their commitment to uplift and elevate to the highest standards the skill and competence levels of Filipino automotive associates. We are glad that Porsche and PGA Cars have found their excellent partner, the Don Bosco Institute, and their outstanding students, who are known for their high quality of knowledge and skills combined with exceptional work ethics,” added Honer, who also revealed that a study had shown that there are more than 12,000 Filipinos who have already acquired vocational training by German companies during the last several years.

Don Bosco Technical School technical director for manpower skills training center Bro. Elmer Rodriguez also identified the 13 students included in the first batch of scholars as he expressed gratitude that many out-of-school youth have been empowered, thanks to individuals and companies who believe in what the Don Bosco Technical Institute Manpower Skills Training Center does.  “We hope companies that adopt corporate social responsibility, like PGA Cars, will sustain the support it has extended,” Bro. Rodriguez said.

The scholars are Arnel Magpantay, Reymund Miranda, Edward Marquez, Reynaldo Cornejo, Anthony Baita, Denmar Harvela, Jayson Supan, Lucino Don Didulo, Espiritu Jormia, Orlando Carangan Jr., Stephen Paul Ambay, Michael Non and Dennis Laguna.

Established in the early ’70s, the DBTI Manpower Skills Training Center has served as a good breeding ground for disadvantaged but promising youth who are provided a fighting chance in the local and overseas job markets. Trainees spend 10 months of learning theory (later on to be supplemented by on-the-job training in companies that tap them based on their aptitude and attitude toward work). DBTI’s Manpower Skills Training Center develops both technical skills required by an industrial setting that demands quality, hard work and good work ethics. The school churns out an average of 1,200 graduates a year. An estimated 85 percent of these graduates are absorbed by private companies in the Philippines or become dollar-earners in countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Singapore and many other countries.   

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