The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has renewed its call for universities to integrate on-the-job training (OJT) into degree programs, stressing that graduates must be better prepared for real workplace demands and aligned with labor market needs.
Supporting this push, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has expanded its technical training program through new partnerships with state universities and automotive dealers. The initiative aims to help students gain job-ready skills while strengthening the country’s skilled labor pool for the automotive industry.
The partnership was formalized during a contract signing at the MMPC Training Center in Santa Rosa, Laguna, with representatives from Laguna State Polytechnic University (San Pablo and Santa Cruz campuses), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in La Union, and dealer partners Mizukawa Motors Corporation, Motorplaza, Inc., and JABEZ Motor Corporation.
Under the program, students undergo a fully funded three-month technical training at MMPC, which includes lodging, meals, transportation, allowances, and training gear. They receive hands-on experience at partner Mitsubishi dealerships, followed by advanced training in engine, chassis, and Mitsubishi Quick Service systems.
The first batch of trainees completed the program from September to December 2025, while a second batch is scheduled for deployment from January to March 2026.
Beyond student training, MMPC donated training vehicles to partner universities and committed to ongoing technical upskilling for faculty members. The company also opened its manufacturing plant to students and educators to give them a closer look at industry operations.
MMPC chairman Noriaki Hirakata said the program reflects the company’s broader role in workforce development, noting that investing in skills training helps produce industry-ready graduates while supporting long-term economic growth.
