PTRCA Awarded for Training Innovation
What began as a project based on a practical need has since grown into a life-changing opportunity for more than 250 underprivileged Filipino families. For this reason - as well as its sustainability, transferability, and effectiveness - the German Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) presented an Innovation award to the Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia (PTRCA) during its recently concluded 2015 Vocational Training Awards ceremony.
The PTRCA first started when Robert Coyiuto, Jr., Chairman and CEO of PGA Cars, Inc., observed that his local technicians were often being pirated internationally through the global Porsche network. He discussed the possibility of setting up a training school in the Philippines with a member of the Porsche AG board, who recognized the practicality and potential of the idea. Coyiuto's brainchild thus became the PTRCA, which is the very first training facility of Porsche outside of Germany.
In the past 7 years, the PTRCA has excelled in teaching underprivileged Filipino youths how to become "Mechatronics," or elite technical specialists for Porsche vehicles. More importantly, these young scholars often end up as successful Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in developed markets, thus giving them the income and opportunity to support their families at home. Due to this unprecedented success, the program is now being expanded under the heading PTRCA 2.0, wherein the scope will be extended to sister brands Audi and Volkswagen for the Middle East region.
"The success of the PTRCA is a testament to the strong collaboration between its partners, but more importantly, to the diligence and talent of the scholars," noted Dr. Stefan Lutz, Director for After Sales Market Qualification and Support at Porsche. "We are very excited about the growth prospects of PTRCA 2.0, and the participation of the new brands. Most of all, we are looking forward to providing new opportunities for underprivileged youth to improve their living conditions and strengthen their family environment," he concluded