The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has renewed its call for universities to embed on-the-job training (OJT) into academic programs, citing the need to better prepare graduates for employment and narrow the gap between education and industry needs.
CHED chairperson Shirley Agrupis emphasized that structured workplace exposure is critical in ensuring that students acquire not only technical knowledge but also practical skills aligned with labor market demands.
Sharing this vision, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has strengthened its commitment to workforce development by formalizing partnerships with key state universities and its dealer network for a technical training program aimed at preparing students for industry-ready roles.
The initiative seeks to empower students and local communities while reinforcing Mitsubishi’s nationwide labor pool through collaboration, skills development, and innovation.
The contract-signing ceremony was held in September last year at the MMPC Training Center in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Participants included representatives from MMPC, Laguna State Polytechnic University – San Pablo, Laguna State Polytechnic University –Santa Cruz, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – San Fernando, La Union, and dealer partners Mizukawa Motors Corporation, Motorplaza Inc., and Jabez Motor Corporation.
Under the program, participating students undergo an intensive, three-month technical training at MMPC, with all expenses covered by the company. These include lodging, meals, transportation, allowances, uniforms, and safety shoes, allowing students to focus fully on their training without financial burden.
The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience. Students are deployed to partner Mitsubishi dealerships, where they apply newly acquired skills in real-world service environments through supervised on-the-job training. After the dealership immersion, participants return for advanced technical instruction covering engine systems, chassis components, and Mitsubishi Quick Service (MQS).
The first batch of students completed the training program from September to December 2025. A second batch is scheduled for deployment at partner dealerships from January to March 2026, reflecting sustained demand and continued collaboration between MMPC and its academic partners.
Beyond student training, MMPC also donated vehicles to partner universities for instructional use, strengthening the institutions’ capacity to deliver industry-relevant education. The company further committed to providing continuing technical training for faculty members and professors, underscoring the importance of keeping educators up to date with evolving automotive technologies.
As part of the partnership activities, MMPC hosted an exclusive plant tour for students, faculty, and dealer staff, offering a closer look at its manufacturing operations and career opportunities within the automotive industry.
“More than building cars, we build careers,” said MMPC chairman Noriaki Hirakata. “We are proud that we have produced talented students from this training program, where their passion has and will always be the driving force of tomorrow,” he added.
MMPC is among the country’s leading automotive assemblers and distributors and is the longest-operating automotive company in the Philippines. The company occupies a 23-hectare manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna, with a maximum annual production capacity of 50,000 units. It locally manufactures the Mirage, Mirage G4, and L300 models.
In fiscal year 2024, MMPC recorded retail sales of 91,639 vehicles, a 12% increase from the previous year, securing the second-highest market share in the Philippine automotive industry. The performance highlights the company’s continued growth and its parallel investment in human capital development to support long-term industry needs.
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