Kyokuyo Shipyard Corporation and its subsidiary Shosen Co., Ltd., are members of a local cooperative business association called "Shimonoseki Zosen Kanren Jigyo Kyodo Kumiai" (Shimonoseki Shipbuilding-related Business Association). One of its main activities since 2004 is the organization of an international trainee program.

Every year, Kyokuyo and Shosen accept several mechanicians from Chinese shipbuilders in the framework of the program. After 3 years of apprenticeship in Shimonoseki, the young trainees will return to the original companies to take up a better and appropriate post for their improved skills.

At the beginning of this September, we held the first qualification ceremony IN our new building, with all the program for the 6th generation trainees being finished. The qualification was awarded to 12 mechanicians this year, 4 from Qingdao and 8 from Dalian.

Having received the certificates, a newly-qualified mechanician gave a speech of thanks in Japanese on behalf of the fellows. In response, a 7th-gen. trainee and Mr. Ochi, Kyokuyo's president, made their speech in turn.

2 days after the ceremony, the 12 happy young shipbuilding men left Shimonoseki for home. They are now certainly enjoying the time with their family, after 3 years separation!

We wish best luck and health to our Chinese friends who have finished the program, while we will do our best to make the stay of the 7th, 8th and further generations of trainees be safe and successful.

[2012/09/11]