From happy-go-lucky pump station attendant to a station manager who mentors his staff – that is one example of the many career opportunities provided by Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc.’s (PSFI) Gas Mo, Bukas Ko (GMBK) program for mobility station crew, to fuel their success in life.
The story above is that of Richard G. Sazon who currently leads Shell Clark Pampanga. Sazon summarizes his 15-year journey and its implications for struggling individuals like his younger self: “Ang GMBK ay isang programa na nagbibigay pag-asa sa mga Forecourt Service Attendant (FSC) or pump attendant na katulad ko dati. Pinagbubuksan ulit ang pintuan ng pag-asa ng mga FSC ng bawat Shell station sa bansa,” [The GMBK is a program that gives hope to the FSCs or Pump Attendants, like me before. It opens doors of hope for every FSC in each Shell station in the entire country.]
GMBK was launched in 1983 by Pilipinas Shell through its social arm PSFI which is now celebrating its 40th anniversary. Since then, it has benefitted more than 5,000 scholars, most of whom have gone on to lead productive lives by putting to good use the technical-vocational skills they learned through the program.
Change in mindset
Back then, Sazon had a hard time trying to earn a living as a Shell FSC-in-training. He didn’t know how to use a computer, couldn’t read well, and had difficulties with his co-workers. It wasn’t until his supervisor gave him another chance to prove to himself that he took his work seriously. His consistently high ratings as an FSC opened up a slot for him in the GMBK scholarship program in 2009.
The GMBK scholarship program has technical-vocational courses such as structural welding, consumer electronics, food and beverage servicing, automotive mechanics, bookkeeping, and basic computer to up-skill its scholars. They also undergo a Leadership Enhancement and Attitude Development (LEAD) workshop to uplift their morale and self-esteem. When asked to literally draw his dreams, Sazon realized that he had none because he was busy trying to survive. His GMBK teachers inspired him to set higher goals.
Sazon remembers them telling him, “Imposibleng wala kayong mga pangarap. May mga pangarap kayo pero kinalimutan niyo pangsamantala kasi naging busy kayo sa mga buhay ninyo. Ngayon andito kami para buksan ulit ang mga pangarap ninyo at tumulong na maabot ninyo ang mga ito balang araw,” [It is impossible that you don’t have dreams. You do have them, but you temporarily forgot them because you have been busy with your lives. We are here to revive your dreams and help you reach them someday]. Aside from the instruction and guidance, Scholars like Sazon also receive material support from Pilipinas Shell like school supplies, transportation allowances, and other resources needed for their training. Not surprisingly, many of the GMBK graduates have remained with Shell—and like Sazon, now hold supervisory and managerial positions.
“Bilang scholar ng Shell, tumataas ang respeto mo sa sarili mo at nagiging responsabli ka sa trabaho. Mas damdam mo ang pagmamahal ng Shell at ng dealer mo sa iyo dahil sa dagdag kaalaman na ibinigay nila sa iyo,” [As a Shell scholar, your self-respect increases as you become more responsible at work. You greatly feel the love of Shell and your dealer through the added knowledge that they give you].
Gas Mo, Bukas Ko scholar and Top Service Champion Richard G. Sazon proudly displays his first runner-up medal at the 2019 Smiling Stars event in Sydney, Australia.| Photo by Shell Press
Giving back
Shell launched GMBK in 2007 to train and develop long-term employment opportunities for its retail station staff. The scholarship was based on and customized from the company’s earlier Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) program, which was created in 1983 as a response to the increasing number of out-of-school youth as well as the growing need for skilled workers.
Sazon says that GMBK gave him an edge by improving his mindset toward work. He attributes his success to this complete character turnaround. Now, as a leader, he wants to give back to others.
“Maniwala lang kayo sa proseso, I-grab ninyo ang opportunity kasi isang beses lang yan darating. Oo, sa una mahirap yang ibibigay nilang obligasyon pero after ng hirap makakamit din ninyo ang ligaya at darating ang pagkakataon na kayo naman ang mag momotivate at magiinspire sa mga staff ninyo. Dahil sa mga naging karanasan ninyo bago kayo naging station manager. Matuto din kayo lumingon sa mga taong tumulong sa inyo nung panahong hindi niyo pa alam ang dereksyon ng buhay ninyo,” Sason said. [Have faith in the process, take opportunities because they only come once. Yes, at first the duties they give you will be tough, but after the hardships, you will also achieve happiness. The time will come when you will be motivating and inspiring the staff because of your experiences before you became a station manager. Learn to look back and acknowledge the people who helped you when you did not know the direction of your life.]
Read more about Pilipinas Shell here:
- https://www.ignition.ph/news/shell-opens-400th-helix-oilchange-outlet-at-c5-southlink-pasay
- https://www.ignition.ph/news/shell-gives-back-shell-go-points-to-celebrate-108th-anniversary
- https://www.ignition.ph/news/shell-livewire-virtual-homeroom-empowers-startups-to-accelerate-growth-reduce-process-waste
- https://www.ignition.ph/news/shell-s-tuloy-ang-pasko-spotlights-pinoy-compassion-and-optimism-during-christmas
- https://www.ignition.ph/news/pilipinas-shell-collaborates-with-mazda-for-voluntary-carbon-offset