On June 28, we celebrated the graduation ceremony of the annual training program for new recruits at the Oita Regional Shipbuilding Craftsmanship Center (ORSC) in Saiki City, Oita Prefecture. Seven of our new recruits returned safely with a slightly more mature look (one with blond hair) after completing the three-month training program that began on April 4. Reflecting their efforts and struggles, their work uniforms seem to be dirty again this year.

The ORSC is a facility that provides vocational education and training for people working in shipbuilding and marine industry companies in Oita Prefecture and neighboring areas with subsidies from Oita Prefecture, Saiki City, and Usuki City. The training is aimed at transferring manufacturing skills, developing related industries, and contributing to the growth of the local economy, and is supported by shipbuilding-related businesses in the region.

It is a very meaningful educational program for those who will be involved in shipbuilding, such as our new employees, as it allows them to intensively acquire licenses and qualifications that are essential for their work. The opening and graduation ceremonies are also covered by local TV stations, attracting the attention of the local community.

For each of our young colleagues, it was a mission for a teenager who had just graduated from high school and joined Kyokuyo to be sent to a strange land and spend three months with strangers. Thanks to the warm and friendly support of the "obachans" (middle-aged ladies, in the familiar language) of the "Kaizanso" guesthouse, where our trainees stayed every year, our new recruits were able to acquire shipbuilding technical qualifications perfectly as planned.

Their official assignments will be determined by the end of the summer after they complete their work rotations within the Production Division. There are high expectations within the company that they will become core members of "Team Kyokuyo" in the near future.

[2024/07/09]