On August 22, 2024, the Primer Group of Companies, a leading force in retail operations, marked a significant milestone with the launch of its inaugural On-the-Job (OJT) Training Program in collaboration with Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU). The partnership was formalized during a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing Ceremony held at Le Monet Cafe, SLH Building, Valenzuela Campus.
The On-the-Job program aims to provide OLFU students, specifically the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) students with practical, hands-on, and holistic experience across various store brands under Primer Group in Metro Manila and other areas in Northern NCR.
While the final list of participating stores is still being finalized, potential stores include R.O.X., Res|Toe|Run, Travel Club, Columbia, and Birkenstock. The program also extends to stores in Pampanga, ensuring a relatively wider geographic reach.
With several students set to participate, the program offers a range of benefits such as allowances, tuition support, and potential employment opportunities.
A Vision for Real-world Experience
Over the past years, Primer Group has seen great success with its head office internship programs. The company has consistently nurtured talents from several universities with a remarkable conversion in which several office interns transitioned to full-time roles within the organization. This success has inspired the company to replicate the same approach for frontliner roles.
"There’s a continuous need for quality talent for store operations. It’s timely to partner with schools like OLFU not only for the OJT students to learn about the corporate world, but also for the company to source future talents to stores,” Mr. Eljoie Fontanilla, the Head of the Human Resources in Primer Group stated in an interview.
By investing in the next generation of professionals, Primer Group will not only address its own talent needs, but also contribute to the overall professional development in the retail sector.
A Promising Start for Similar Collaborations
Looking ahead, Primer Group envisions expanding this initiative once proven successful. The program will set a precedent for future collaborations with other universities, including state universities, with strong talent pools.
Such initiatives are all part of the company’s commitment to reimagine Primer through partnerships and collaborations with stakeholders who share the same core values and the mission of bringing the world closer to customers.