Toyota Instructors Persist in Challenging Gen-Z Students
Toyota's Technical Skills Academy: A Hub for Elite Technician Training
The Toyota Technical Skills Academy, a renowned training ground for technicians, has been a cornerstone of Toyota's operations for over 85 years. Located within the company, this rigorous program is designed to nurture highly skilled technician trainees through hands-on, advanced training at Toyota's carmaking worksites, also known as genba.
Hisashi Yamashita, the Director of the Academy, is a testament to its success. With a career as a sheet metal technician and gold medals won at international WorldSkills competitions, Yamashita embodies the Academy's commitment to excellence.
The Academy's instructors are carefully selected from among Toyota's technicians for a three-year rotation. They are chosen not just for their technical expertise, but also for their passion, dedication, and intimate knowledge of the genba. Former instructors have built a reputation for imparting the monozukuri ethos, a philosophy that stresses the importance of craftsmanship, quality, and teamwork in manufacturing.
The Academy's approach to education is rooted in the belief that "monozukuri is about developing people". It is a philosophy attributed to Kiichiro Toyoda, the company's second president, who believed that investing in people was the key to long-term success. This philosophy is reflected in the Academy's rigorous, immersive training program, which incurs considerable costs, including meals, uniforms, living spaces, and salaries for several hundred people.
The Academy's mission extends beyond technical skill development. It also aims to nurture people who care about making customers happy and remain committed to quality. To this end, the Academy places a strong emphasis on teamwork, with the aim of protecting workers and fostering a culture of collaboration.
Graduates of the Academy have demonstrated remarkable success in skill competitions. Takahiro Maeda, for instance, who joined Toyota straight from high school, benefited greatly from the Academy's focused, skill-intensive training environment. His rapid skill development led him to win bronze and silver medals at WorldSkills events.
Toyota's investment in its technician training programs, such as the Technical Skills Academy, serves multiple purposes. It cultivates elite technical skills, maintains high-quality manufacturing standards, supports career growth, and fosters a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across its technical workforce.
The Academy's success is a testament to Toyota's commitment to developing technician talent that ensures superior vehicle quality and maintains the company's reputation. It also aligns with broader industry trends where ongoing learning, mentorship, and skill refinement are critical to sustaining a competitive service and manufacturing team.
[1] Toyota Technical Skills Academy: https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/2571500.html [2] The Future of Manufacturing: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2020/05/11/the-future-of-manufacturing-in-a-post-covid-19-world/?sh=71136c956e3a [3] Toyota's Continuous Learning Culture: https://www.toyota-global.com/company/newsroom/pressreleases/2059_0.html [4] Toyota's Apprentice Career Training Program: https://global.toyota/en/company/features/2018/0312_01.html [5] Toyota's Commitment to Technician Training: https://www.toyota-global.com/company/newsroom/pressreleases/2011/1010_01.html
- The Toyota Technical Skills Academy not only cultivates elite technical skills, but also fosters personal growth and learning among its trainees, nurturing individuals who are committed to quality and customer satisfaction.
- Beyond education and self-development in technical skills, Toyota's Technical Skills Academy emphasizes personal growth, instilling a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in its technicians, aligning with wider industry trends that prioritize ongoing learning and skill refinement.
