MFI supports Mazda PH’s need for skilled local technicians

Berjaya Auto Philippines (BAP), the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country, has partnered with MFI Foundation Inc. (formerly Meralco Foundation Inc.), a nonprofit science foundation that has been providing topnotch technical training and education in the Philippines for more than 30 years, under its Industrial Technician Program (ITP) specializing in automotive technology.

BAP president and CEO Steven Tan and MFI Foundation Inc. president Alejandro T. Escaño signed the memorandum of agreement between the two parties last July 3.

“Our Mazda dealership network is expanding rapidly to keep pace with the industry growth and increasing customer demand for Mazda’s vehicle with advanced SkyActiv technology. In order for the dealerships to provide high-quality customer service for Mazda customers, we need a robust plan to rapidly level up our internal technical skill to supplement the current skill pool to meet future requirement. It is simply not realistic or desirable to source the talents from within the industry,”  Tan said.

Said Tan: “We are very fortunate to be able to collaborate with such a fine institution as MFI. They have an incredible learning philosophy and history, and have produced a generation of highly skilled and productive talent.

Academic, practical

“Apart from sponsoring the first batch of 20 students, we are involved in developing the content of the syllabus and the structure of the material. The purpose is to combine the proven MFI technical expertise and the latest Mazda’s advanced powertrain technology to produce a new generation of skilled technicians who are specialists in Mazda vehicles and the SkyActiv technology. This is a comprehensive two-year program that combines academic and practical training at the dealership prior to graduation. BAP sponsors the education expenses for the entire duration of the program,” he added.

The two-year ITP course, which BAP will sponsor for 20 scholars, will include a one-year academic component at MFI and a 1,440-hour on-the-job training  with BAP and the Mazda dealership network. Utilizing a Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority)-accredited Dual Training System, both parties will share the responsibility of providing the trainees with the best possible job qualifications through practical, hands-on training with BAP, and an adequate level of specific, general and occupation-related theoretical instruction through the MFI Technological Institute.

Knowledge-sharing

As part of the partnership, BAP and MFI will be involved in knowledge-sharing, and the exchange of technology trends and on-site training activities. Moreover, BAP will donate Mazda components that are instrumental in the training on automotive technology.

Likewise, Escaño appreciates the support from BAP. “The partnership with Mazda Philippines goes hand-in-hand with MFI’s core dictum, ‘Enriching minds… Transforming Lives,’” said Escaño. “We are thankful for the support Mazda is extending in providing quality education to our youth as well as the opportunities it is opening for our students.”

BAP is the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the Philippines. The current product lineup includes Mazda2 subcompact sedan and hatchback, Mazda3 SkyActiv compact sedan and hatchback, Mazda6 executive sedan, CX-5 compact SUV, CX-9 seven-seater SUV, MX-5 two-seater sports roadster and  BT-50 pickup truck. There are Mazda sales and service dealerships located across Metro Manila: Mazda Greenhills along Edsa, Mazda Pasig along C5, Mazda Quezon Avenue and Mazda Alabang. In the  provinces, the dealerships are located in Pampanga, Dagupan, Cabanatuan, Batangas, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Tarlac, Cavite, Davao and Iloilo.