Toyota tech school gears up as a global human resource development hub

TOYOTA’S world-class TMP Tech is designed by topnotch architect William V. Coscolluela.

It’s a school like no other. Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) recently opened Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology, or TMP Tech, as part of its 25th year commemorative celebration.

TMP Tech may not be of the caliber of the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but it promises to produce outstanding graduates that will be the envy of many Filipinos aspiring to land good-paying jobs, not only within the Toyota global network but also in other sectors of the automotive industry both here in the country and abroad.

Located on a 1-hectare plot in the sprawling TMP grounds in Santa Rosa, Laguna, the two-story facility built at a cost of P1 billion was personally donated by TMP chair George S.K. Ty as a demonstration of his gratitude and appreciation to Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) for their successful partnership of over 25 years.

(TMC and  Ty’s Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., together with Mitsui & Co. Ltd., formed TMP in 1988 after the Silverio-owned Delta Motors Corp.’s technical tie-up with TMC was voided.)

CLASSROOMS are fitted with sizeable desks and comfortable chairs conducive for learning.

What will really set TMP Tech apart from other automotive training schools in the country, or even in the region, will be the access to the famed Toyota technology, one that has driven the brand into becoming one of the most powerful in the world.

Even in the Philippines, Toyota continues to hold market leadership in overall sales of vehicles as well as in passenger cars and commercial vehicles for 11 consecutive years, despite the recent resurgence of fierce competition by American, European and, lately, Korean and Chinese manufacturers.

While altruistic in its aim to provide the Filipino youth with quality education and a better future, TMP Tech will also ensure Toyota with a valuable pool of trained technicians that jive with its vaunted after-sales servicing. It’s no secret that many Toyota customers single out the quality of service as one of the biggest reasons for remaining loyal to the brand.

TMP TECH’S state-of-the-art facilities and high equipment-to-student ratio assure studens of a thorough hands-on training.

TMP Tech will ensure a steady supply of highly skilled Filipino workers and technicians to serve the fast-growing local dealer network, therefore further endearing new and old Toyota vehicle owners.

According to TMP vice chair Alfred V. Ty: “The world-class, quality education that TMP Tech offers will produce professionals qualified to work in a Toyota dealer workshop anywhere in the world. That employment will go a long way to help uplift the quality of life of many of our countrymen.”

With the increasing demand for new vehicles brought about by Philippine motorization, TMP Tech fits perfectly into TMP’s Total Customer Satisfaction program. As the number of automotive vehicles shoots up, there will also be a high demand for automotive technicians providing after-sales service to Toyota customers.

GRADUATES of TMP Tech will be given first priority for employment in Toyota dealerships in the country as well as Toyota distributors abroad.

Enrollment for the two-year course in automotive technology is currently underway, with the first classrooms expected to be opened in September. TMP recently gave a P25-million grant to Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation, which in turn will be appropriated to TMP Tech.

TMP Tech is a world-class technical institution that is equipped with up-to-date training equipment, top-notch facilities, as well as competent and experienced instructors ready to teach a superior Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-certified curriculum with equally superior instructor-to-student ratio. TMP Tech has made sure that its students will be provided for, with the best tools and a conducive learning environment, to become competitive in both the local and global workforce.

ADVANCED training simulators give students the opportunity to extensively analyze engines.

As corroborated by TMC executive vice president Yasumori Ihara, the Filipino’s work ethics and competence is not only recognized in local shores but also internationally. He said: “Filipinos are working in many Toyota affiliates worldwide, and have been showing their talent and making significant contributions to the Toyota organization.”

Expressing his optimism brought about by the completion of TMP Tech, TMP president Michinobu Sugata stated that the school’s opening is only the beginning of the quest for the ultimate goal. “I am very pleased to witness that we have taken the significant step towards TMP’s grand dream to make the Philippines a human resource development hub for global Toyota.”

TMP Tech is founded by TMC’s honorary chair Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda and Ty.