JITCO

Case 2: Passing Level 2 on the Skills Proficiency Test (SPT)
(Noguchi Seisakusho Co. Ltd, and Fukazawa Seisakusho)

Two international technical interns passed Level 2 on the SPT for the first time this year as the workers participating in the Industrial Training and Technical Internship Programs.
Level 2 on the SPT is designed for Japanese workers whose skills are at the intermediate level.  For international workers, not only technical but also language skills are required to pass the test.  Mr. Xi and Mr. Wang took the exam in the industrial sheet metal category, which is considered very tough with only a 24.1% (in 2005) passing rate.  These technicians' success was the first achievement since JITCO started encouraging technical interns to take the advanced-level proficiency test and providing awards for the successful candidates.

Mr. Xi and Mr. Wang have been interning at Noguchi Seisakusho and Fukazawa Seisakusho respectively.  They balanced their training and preparation well to pass this challenging test!

Noguchi Seisakusho is a precision sheet metal company located in the Ayase Industrial District in Kanagawa.  It was established in 1964 in Ebina City as a business in sheet metal presswork.  The company moved to Ayase City in 1971, and restructured to specialize in precision sheet metal for production future demand.  Keeping up with the developments in technology, the company has manufactured products for telecommunication devices, aircraft and computers, and the area of expertise has been expanded to design and assembly over the years.

This year, the company has accepted the 6th generation of trainees.  It strives to demonstrate the company's values to "focus effort on human resource development for our employees, and conduct a regular and well-planned training program to raise the skills of personnel".  By hard work, skills are transferred to trainees and interns.

Mr. Xi currently works on tasks such as bending sheet metal with large Swiss equipment by reading Japanese specifications and instructions.  The process requires concentration and patience, as the angles need to be checked and adjusted repeatedly with decimal-point accuracy.

[Mr. Xi checks the finished product]

[Mr. Noguchi Providing Instruction] 

Fukazawa Seisakusho is another company in the precision sheet metal industry, located in the Hongo Industrial District in Ebina City, Kanagawa.  It was established in 1951 in Tokyo, and moved to Ebina prior to settling in the Industrial District.  The company thoroughly focuses on manufacturing with the following values: value inspirations; do what customers need; and, create joy in the workplace.

Mr. Wang was the first trainee in Fukazawa Seisakusho.  The company is dedicated to "provide advanced skills training for those who are willing and motivated", and also to make a genuine effort on behalf of trainees and technical interns.  Mr. Wang works on CAD to process the precision sheet metal.  He has become pivotal in the company's operations.  The president, Mr. Ishii, comments, "Mr. Wang's skills are indispensable to our company".  Mr. Ishii is happy with the intern's improvement, yet at the same time, is concerned about the successor to Mr. Wang for whom he is currently searching.

[Mr. Wang Working on 3-D CAD]

[Mr. Ishii and Mr. Wang, Resembling Father and Son]

Following are the comments on passing Level 2 on the SPT:
Mr. Xi: "I put myself in intensive training from 4 months before the test.  I stayed after work and kept practicing on my own.  The written test was very tough, so I studied into the night every evening.  At one point, road construction began in front of the dormitory and I could not concentrate, so I took a nap and studied until 3 am.  It is a fun memory now.  I was very excited to realize that I had passed the test."

Mr. Wang: "I made more than 30 samples according to the instructions from the previous tests.  The president had told me to use any materials needed for the practice, but I was just too scared to tap into the inventory at first.  This success is to be a testament to my mother's continuous encouragement over the past three years.  I was very happy to pass the test so I could show my thanks to the president who generously offered all the materials to me. 

As both comments indicate, on top of their hard work, the support from the accepting companies was vital in order to pass the advanced test.

The following are the comments from the presidents:
Mr. Noguchi: "I continued to teach trainees and interns, monitoring them carefully, hoping to help them pass Level 2 on the SPT someday.  This was our 4th attempt.  My dream has come true!  Mr. Xi's success is mine as well as his."

Mr. Ishii: "Mr. Wang was the first trainee that we accepted.  He was motivated, good with his hands, and a quick learner.  I wanted to show him the joy of manufacturing.  I wanted to give him something more than just doing a day's worth's work, so we set up the goal to pass the test and so that he had proof of the knowledge and advanced skills he has acquired here.  I am so happy that he passed the test!"

[Excited to Receive the Certificate!]

[Mr. Xi and Mr. Wang Recollecting on the Test]

The similarity between Mr. Xi and Mr. Wang is that they both show a sense of fulfillment in learning many things in Japan.  Their attitude of, "I want to try although it looks tough" is propelled by their serious and positive attitude, and the passion for their work that both companies share.

It is no mystery that the interns' motivation and their effort were the key ingredients in this achievement, but it is also true that the daily support by the accepting companies was also essential.  This success will motivate other technical interns who will follow Mr. Xi and Mr. Wang, the hard workers who set high goals in a foreign country with support from accepting organizations.