Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) marked another milestone for its Heart and Smile Project (IHSP) with the graduation of Batch 24 at the Isuzu-TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center in Tacloban, Leyte. The group is made up of 19 scholars who completed the two-year Automotive Servicing Course and received a National Certificate IV (NC IV), allowing them to work as qualified automotive service technicians.
The Isuzu Heart and Smile Project started in 2008 through a partnership between IPC, Isuzu Motors Limited Japan (IML), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and World Vision Philippines. The program gives underprivileged youth the chance to gain technical knowledge, develop hands-on skills, and find stable job opportunities in the automotive industry.
Since it began, the project has supported more than 455 young scholars. Its training program combines TESDA’s standard automotive curriculum with specialized lessons on Isuzu diesel technology, helping students gain both general and brand-specific skills. The project also has a strong employment record; 95 percent of graduates have found work, with 68 percent employed locally, 24 percent overseas, and three percent self-employed. Alumni now work in countries like Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and the United States.
During the graduation ceremony, IML Executive Vice President for International Sales Division Koji Nakamura congratulated the students and reminded them to use their skills to serve customers, help their companies grow, and always remember the support of their families.
As Batch 24 steps into the workforce, the project continues with Batch 28—18 new scholars who will begin their training this year and finish in 2027. To mark the event, students from Batches 25 to 27 held a skills demonstration, showing what they have learned through their ongoing training.
Some graduates were also recognized for their outstanding performance, reflecting the project’s goal of building skill, discipline, and pride among its trainees. IPC Executive Vice President Yasuhiko Oyama said the company is proud of the new graduates and believes they will play an important role in the Isuzu network, both in the Philippines and abroad.
Seventeen years since it began, the Isuzu Heart and Smile Project continues to open doors for young Filipinos through technical education, job opportunities, and lifelong skills that help them and their communities grow.
