Grateful Emotions Prevail: 249 Graduates Embarking on Individual Journeys - Commencement at Toyota Technical Skills Academy
Toyota Technical Skills Academy Graduation Highlights Emphasis on Practical Learning and Inclusivity
Japan's graduation season is underway, and the Toyota Technical Skills Academy marked the occasion with a moving ceremony on February 20. Chairman Akio Toyoda and other genba (workplace) leaders were in attendance, offering advice to the 249 graduates.
Toyoda's speech emphasized the importance of hands-on experience, continuous skill improvement, and dedication to craftsmanship. He highlighted the value of practical learning at the genba—the actual site of production—as demonstrated by graduates like Takahiro Maeda, who honed his skills through intensive training and participation in competitions such as WorldSkills, supported by Toyota’s focused training environment.
Regarding creating a welcoming workplace for women, Toyota's leadership encourages inclusivity and the creation of supportive environments at the genba level. Although the search results do not provide Ririka Ando's exact question or detailed responses from the leaders, it can be inferred that they emphasize diversity and respect as key to sustaining innovation and a positive culture.
The advice given to graduates collectively centered on embracing real-world, hands-on training at the genba to refine technical skills, pursuing continuous personal development and resilience, and fostering a welcoming and inclusive workplace.
In his speech, Toyoda connected his message with his statement at the Toyota Group Vision in January: "Inventing our path forward, together." After the ceremony, graduates reunited with their families, many expressing gratitude for their support.
Raimu Okada, a graduate from the high school course, spoke as representative of the graduates, expressing his admiration for his father who also works at Toyota and his determination to become a Toyota employee. He also spoke about his friendly competition with classmates and his aspiration to one day become a son his father can be proud of.
Akio Toyoda has participated in the graduation ceremony every year during his tenure as president and continued to do so this year as chairman. Toyota Times News covered the event and the stories of some graduates, providing an early glimpse into Japan's graduation season. Akio Toyoda's full speech from the graduation ceremony is available for viewing.
"Embracing hands-on, real-world training at the genba for continuous personal growth and education-and-self-development is highly encouraged, as demonstrated by the practical learning approach of Toyota Technical Skills Academy. Furthermore, creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace fosters personal growth, a key value emphasized by Toyota's leadership."
"In addition to refining technical skills through hands-on training at the genba, Toyota's graduates were also advised to pursuit continuous personal development and resilience, aligning with Akio Toyoda's statement about inventing their path forward, together."
