Hyundai training center produces new auto technicians

Hyundai Dream Center-Philippines’ second batch of automotive technology graduates show off their diplomas with HARI chief finance officer Ladislao Avila and Plan International deputy country director-program Ryan Lander.

FORTY-three scholars have just graduated from the Hyundai Dream Center-Philippines (HDCP). The second batch of graduates completed automotive technology and servicing, and customer communication.

Philippine distributor Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) explained the HDCP, inaugurated in 2018, is an automotive training and education hub it established together with Hyundai Motor Co. and global humanitarian organization Plan International.

HARI said the Dream Center “aims to provide marginalized Filipino youths with comprehensive training on Hyundai vehicle repair and maintenance.”

The first batch of HDCP scholars, composed of 45 people, graduated in November 2018.

HARI president and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said 80 of the center’s 88 graduates “have already been deployed to HARI dealerships to begin careers as technicians and service professionals.”

According to HARI, Hyundai established Dream Centers in collaboration with local vocational schools in Ghana, Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam. In the Philippines, HARI and Plan International cooperated to implement a training program of three courses adapted to the scholars’ educational backgrounds. About half of the scholars were referred by Plan International from their program areas in Samar, Leyte, Cotabato and Maguindanao.