Honda Foundation Inc. (HFI), the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Honda in the Philippines, has renewed its partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The announcement came after the opening of HFI’s second TESDA Regional Training Center (RTC).
Located in Batangas City, the newly opened Honda-TESDA RTC CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) TechDrive Hub was formally opened on March 25, 2026. The initiative builds on a collaboration first established in 2024 and signifies Honda’s commitment to technical education and workforce development in the country.
As part of the program, HFI donated four Honda motorcycle units and two hybrid vehicles to support hands-on instruction and restoration training. The training facility is also equipped with specialized tools for use in vehicle diagnostics, maintenance, and repair, enabling students to gain practical and industry-relevant skills.
The Honda-TESDA training program also introduces a career development pathway for top-performing trainees. Qualified participants may undergo on-the-job training (OJT) with Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI) and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI, the Japanese carmaker’s motorcycle and automobile brands, respectively. Upon competition, they may be endorsed for deployment within Honda’s nationwide dealer network, potentially leading to employment opportunities.
The initiative is Honda’s way of bridging the gap between technical education and industry requirements. By aligning training courses with updated automotive technologies, the program aims to improve employability and ensure graduates are equipped with skills that meet current market demands.
According to HFI, the TESDA training program represents Hoda’s share in community development and youth empowerment. The company continues to collaborate with academic institutions and key stakeholders to expand quality technical training across the country.
Members of HFI include HCPI, HPI, Honda Parts Manufacturing Corporation, Honda Trading Philippines Ecozone Corporation, and Honda Logistics Philippines, Inc. Together, these Honda companies support programs that promote education, mobility, and sustainable development.
Autocar’s Take
Honda’s sustained support for technical education is a more grounded view of how the industry builds for the future – through people and their skills. The expansion of its partnership with TESDA, in the form of a new training facility in Batangas, moves past traditional corporate initiatives, creating a stronger bridge between classroom learning and actual employment opportunities. Notably, the program now includes hybrid vehicle technology, giving students early exposure to systems that are fast becoming mainstream.
This approach prepares graduates to be more job-ready in a changing automotive landscape. Still, its long-term value will depend on how far it can reach. Building similar training centers across more regions will be key to delivering a more tangible impact on the local automotive industry.
Stephen Fulgueras. Photo: Honda
