When I was a child, it seems that there were many opportunities in school to think about "future dreams" and "jobs I want to have." At that time, some people may have been unsure of their answers.
To increase the future options for children, Kurashiki City is engaged in various initiatives.
One of these is the Corporate Learning Workshop, a special class where junior high and high school students in Kurashiki City can experience local companies' work.
In this article, I will introduce the Corporate Learning Workshop held at Kurashiki City North Junior High School on February 7, 2025 (Friday), and the subsequent opinion exchange meeting between companies and schools.
About the Corporate Learning Workshop
The Corporate Learning Workshop is an experiential class conducted in junior high and high schools in Kurashiki City and Hayashima Town.
It is held as part of the Kurashiki City Career Education Promotion Project.
Kurashiki City Career Education Promotion Project
This project aims to foster a sense of vocation, promote local employment in the future, and revitalize the community. It consists of two parts: a "Basic Course" that aims to foster a sense of vocation and promote understanding of work rules, and the "Corporate Learning Workshop," where students experience local companies' work to understand their value and appeal, leading to future local employment.
【Youtube】Kurashiki City Video Channel Kurashiki City Career Education Promotion Project
What kind of jobs exist in the town where we live, and how do those jobs impact our lives? People working at local companies conduct classes for students. This program allows students to learn not only about the content of the work but also how companies contribute to the community.
In the 2024 fiscal year, it was held in 16 junior high schools and 5 high schools, with participation from 55 local companies.
The Corporate Learning Workshop consists of two 50-minute classes. The grade level that participates varies by school, and students in the target grades can choose up to two lectures from companies they are interested in.
It was a special class that aimed to increase the options for students to think, "I want to try this!" and "This looks interesting!"
Report of the Day
I will introduce the Corporate Learning Workshop held at Kurashiki City North Junior High School on February 7, 2025 (Friday).
The local companies that participated in this session were the following 9 companies (8 lectures).
- <＜Elderly Welfare and Nursing＞ Kiryukai Social Welfare Corporation
- <＜Construction and Pipe Work＞ Chuo Setubi Co., Ltd. and Daido Setubi Kogyo Co., Ltd.
- <＜Childcare＞ Dolphin Aid Co., Ltd.
- <＜Construction＞ Meguro Construction Co., Ltd.
- <＜Food and Beverage＞ Furuiichi Co., Ltd.
- <＜Shipbuilding and Repair＞ Shinraishima Sanoyasu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
- <＜Animation Production＞ ENGI Co., Ltd.
- <＜Steel Industry＞ JFE Steel Corporation West Japan Works
Normally, students can only take up to two lectures, but I peeked into all the company lectures as part of my coverage.
＜Elderly Welfare and Nursing＞ Kiryukai Social Welfare Corporation
The lecture in the gym was conducted by Kiryukai Social Welfare Corporation.
In the first half of the class, they used slides to convey the importance of nursing jobs and the appeal of working in this field. The staff's words, "Nursing is a job that takes care of lives," instilled a sense of responsibility towards the work.
In the second half, an experience using a wheelchair, which is essential in the welfare field, began.
The students were divided into two groups to experience riding in a wheelchair and operating a wheelchair with a person in it. They were explained how to get in and out of a wheelchair, as well as tips and precautions for moving it, and the students listened intently.
They experienced the difficulty of moving a wheelchair over uneven surfaces and the challenge of steering it as they intended.
＜Construction and Pipe Work＞ Chuo Setubi Co., Ltd. and Daido Setubi Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Chuo Setubi Co., Ltd. and Daido Setubi Kogyo Co., Ltd. are companies that create living infrastructure through plumbing work for water and gas, as well as the installation of air conditioning systems.
In addition to introducing the content of their work, they also explained about working styles such as maternity and childcare leave, conveying that the working environment is an important factor in job selection.
After the lecture, everyone tried on work clothes and harnesses used at construction sites.
"Surprisingly light!" "Isn't this cool?" The conversations among students were lively.
In the same classroom, they also conducted a faucet installation experience.
They learned how water flows through the faucets we use casually every day. In the end, they used a toy that mimicked waste to flow water, realizing how important infrastructure like water supply is in our lives.
＜Childcare＞ Dolphin Aid Co., Ltd.
In the class by Dolphin Aid Co., Ltd., where students learn about childcare, they experienced making slime, which is perfect for children's tactile play.
Each group is making colorful slime. The classroom was filled with bright voices, enjoying the fun of experimentation.
The finished slime varies in texture, being hard or soft depending on the person.
Some teams helped to remake the slime of those who couldn't make it well. It was an experience where they could feel the joy of making things and the communication that blossoms through play.
＜Construction＞Meguro Construction Co., Ltd.
At Meguro Construction Co., Ltd., they were measuring the entire classroom using a laser level to check the horizontal level. Being able to actually touch specialized machines and equipment is a unique experience of corporate learning.
Measuring seems to be quite difficult, and some students were seen pondering while peering into the equipment.
In the latter half, they stacked paper to create towers and competed for height among teams. As the countdown progressed, the excitement in the classroom increased. When a tower collapsed, a loud "Ah!" echoed through the room.
An experience that can be enjoyed like a game. I think it will leave a lasting impression on the students about the company.
＜Food and Beverage＞Furuichi Co., Ltd.
In the kitchen, Furuichi Co., Ltd., which created the famous Bukkake udon of Kurashiki, was conducting a class.
The delicious aroma of the udon broth wafted through the kitchen.
In Furuichi's class, students were making their own original udon by adding toppings to the famous Bukkake udon.
The students enjoyed eating the completed udon while asking various questions to the president of Furuichi.
They seemed very interested in the work of creating familiar food, such as how to make udon and the characteristics of Furuichi's udon.
When asked, "There are various udon shops, but what is Furuichi's secret ingredient?" the answer that elicited laughter was, "It's a secret!"
Instead, they shared a piece of trivia. Furuichi's tempura uses the best broth in the tempura flour, allowing for a delicious flavor that highlights the broth.
＜Shipbuilding and Repair＞Shinraijima Sanoyasu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Shinraijima Sanoyasu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. had students seriously working on ship models made from two A4 sheets of paper. It was content that made it easy to learn about the structure of the hull.
If successful, they can create paper columns strong enough to hold a plastic bottle without collapsing. It's surprising that just two sheets of paper can create a three-dimensional object that can withstand the weight of a plastic bottle.
The staff of Shinraijima Sanoyasu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. went around each table, carefully explaining how to make them. Everyone worked together, experimenting and creating.
It was a hands-on class where students could easily learn about shipbuilding knowledge and the structure of hulls.
＜Animation Production＞ Betty Smith
Next, we headed to the class at Betty Smith, which specializes in animation production.
The class started with a theme that seemed difficult for the company to discuss: "Why is the work of an animator considered black?" Based on data, the instructor explained the animation industry in a lively manner. The students delved deeper into the realities of the animation industry while answering the questions posed to them.
They discussed very realistic topics such as "How many original drawings does an animator create in a month?" and "How much do you get paid for drawing one original?", and the students were eagerly listening.
However, it was not just about the tough realities; the class also thoroughly taught the appeal of the job, allowing students interested in becoming animators to think more concretely about their future paths.
The difficult aspects of the job were also properly conveyed. It was a 50-minute session where a sincere attitude towards the students was felt.
＜Steel Industry＞ JFE Steel Corporation West Japan Works
JFE Steel Corporation West Japan Works provided an experience where students could see and touch actual iron.
What was particularly interesting was the comparison of the hardness of pig iron and steel. When struck, steel, which has fewer impurities compared to pig iron, feels very hard.
Students were also able to try on protective clothing worn while working in factories, with the teacher trying it on as a representative.
At the end of the class, students were delighted to receive a pen with the company logo and an original spoon as gifts. Having items that remain with them for a long time may provide opportunities to recall the company.
A variety of companies from different industries gathered to increase the career options for middle and high school students through the Corporate Learning Workshop.
It was a valuable hands-on class where students could learn trivia about companies that even adults may not know, as well as the behind-the-scenes aspects of work.
In the next page, we will report on the exchange meeting between companies, schools, and Kurashiki City, which can be considered the behind-the-scenes of the Corporate Learning Workshop.
Data on the Corporate Learning Workshop (for inquiries, contact the Labor and Employment Policy Division of Kurashiki City)
Please check this video for more details
【Youtube】Kurashiki City Video Channel <a href="https://youtu.be/PqVaAnpuF6o">Kurashiki City Career Education Promotion Project</a>
| Name | Corporate Learning Workshop (for inquiries, contact the Labor and Employment Policy Division of Kurashiki City) |
|---|---|
| Address | 640 Nishichu, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-426-3415 |
