Development of Human Resources in the Science and Technology Field

Basic Approach and Policy

Basic Approach to the Development of Human Resources in the Science and Technology Field (Education to foster group-wide activities for quality assurance, PL and innovation)

In view of the features of its products and services, Nabtesco gives first priority to ensuring their safety and believes that it can provide society with added value in the form of safety, comfort and a sense of security by combining its advanced technological ability with its high manufacturing quality.
Amid the intensification of competition with domestic and overseas companies for the development of technologies, we are increasingly required to foster innovation to solve technological problems and develop new applications for our products toward expanding our areas of value creation.

In order to supply highly reliable products and services that are useful for society, Nabtesco is promoting the development of human resources in the science and technology field. Specifically, it provides its engineers, including product designers and developers, with basic, technical and advanced training to help them meet the following criteria:

  • Has high-level expertise in a specific field and utilizes it for the company’s business as a leader in the field
  • Has extensive knowledge about manufacturing, not limited to knowledge about the field of specialization
  • Can take specific actions in line with the behavioral patterns to be followed for the solution of problems (patterns regarding cost, safety, delivery deadlines, problem-solving methodology and others)
  • Has abilities to utilize technological skills to make a tangible business achievement (including abilities to hit upon new ideas, attain targets and communicate with others) and can actually make use of the abilities for the promotion of business

System

System to Promote Education and Training for Engineers

Nabtesco provides its engineers with technical training under the company-wide system implemented by the Human Resources Department and the Technology and R&D Division (Innovative Engineering Dept., Mechanical & Material Engineering Dept., Intellectual Property Dept., Quality Promotion Dept., and the training team of the Administration Dept.).

Nabtesco’s training for engineers is roughly divided into the following two types: basic training and technical training. Basic training is offered to all engineers for their first three years with the company. After that period ends, they will acquire more technical skills at their respective departments as well as receiving technical training, through which they will learn about a range of technologies across the company’s business domains to become professionals who can lead innovation.

Diagram of the Training System

Purpose of the basic training
  • Review the basic knowledge required of engineers and understand differences between theories and reality
  • Acquire basic knowledge across a range of fields, not limited to the field of specialization, toward the design and development of systems
Diagram of the Training System

*PWM: Pulse Width Modulation

Technical training for engineers
  • Learn about new technologies for application to the products of the in-house company
  • Generate synergies between the in-house companies by learning about technologies across the businesses
  • Apply new technologies to existing products and also utilize the technologies to create new products
Technical training for engineers
  • *MBD:Model Based Development
  • *CAE:Computer Aided Engineering
  • *CFD:Computational Fluid Dynamics

Measures

Company-Wide Education (Technical Training)

Quality Management Training for Young Leaders

With a view to nurture the sense of high quality among engineers in the medium- to long- term strategy, we have started an internal Quality Management Training Program in 2007, which we run every year. The program especially targets those who are expected to play important roles in the next generation. The attendees range from young to mid-career design engineers.

[Quality Management Training for young employees]  functionality assessment of a plastic model car

[Quality Management Training for young employees] functionality assessment of a plastic model car

Technical Training Seminars on PL and Product Safety

Technical Training Seminars on PL and Product Safety

[Training on Product Liability (PL) and Product Safety (PS)] Considering the Importance of Legal Principles of Product Liability and Activities for Product Liability Control Based on Past Failures

[Training on Product Liability (PL) and Product Safety (PS)] Considering the Importance of Legal Principles of Product Liability and Activities for Product Liability Control Based on Past Failures

We have been providing training for employees, starting from juniors, with instruction on past instances of failure in related industries. In doing so, we seek to ensure a commitment as a manufacturing organization, employee, and engineer to providing safety, security, and comfort, with the correct mindset.

[Training on Ethics of Manufacturers] Considering the Responsibilities of Manufacturers Based on Past Failures

[Training on Ethics of Manufacturers] Considering the Responsibilities of Manufacturers Based on Past Failures

Various Training Programs for CAE Analysis

In order to reduce the frequency of prototyping and testing in product development, it is critical to use CAE analysis to examine product shapes and specifications in a virtual space based on the concept of model-based development (MBD). Moreover, for the creation of innovative products, we need to conduct simulation activities to foster the generation of advanced ideas.
Nabtesco has established a unique curriculum through which not only its CAE experts, but also its product designers can learn how to perform the CAE analysis. The CAE training is now a mandatory part of new employees training and contributes to the development of professionals who can design and develop products efficiently.

For specialist education, we are holding seminars on FEM knowledge and on fluid analysis, 1DCAE training for the solution of problems, and training to make use of data science for CAE analysis toward developing more personnel who can think in a multifaceted manner.

[New personnel FEM 1DCAE training] Exercise of an assignment

[New personnel FEM 1DCAE training] Exercise of an assignment

Introductory Idea Generation Training (Nabtesco Version of TRIZ Method of Inventive Problem Solving)

In order to enhance our corporate value based on the sustainable development of the Nabtesco Group, we are implementing intellectual property strategies to maintain the competitive advantages of our present and future “core value” (intellectual properties and intangible assets) as the basis for our business competitiveness.

The most important effort with regard to the intellectual property strategies is to create core value based on the accurate anticipation of market trends and customer needs and to take strategic measures to acquire and secure intellectual property rights.

To expedite the creation of core value, we have continuously offered an introductory idea generation course based on the TRIZ (theory of inventive problem solving) method since 2010. This training is held as a case study workshop and online meetings for participants to learn methods of generating ideas for developing and improving products and services.

Our aim is to develop leaders in idea generation who can come up with ideas for developing new businesses, products and services by drawing on their experience and the effective creative thinking skills they acquire through this course.

Introductory idea generation course

Introductory idea generation course

Training on Software Design Quality

In response to an increase in the importance of software technology applied in our products, we have been providing several training courses on high design quality and the substantive demonstration of software reliability since 2013.

We have been providing training in line with the following three steps of the software development process: requirement analysis, software design, and software verification.

In response to evolving motion control, in 2017, we introduced a new training course in line with the model-based development (MBD) methods, and have been working to further improve software design quality.

Moreover, in 2021, we held a training session to meet the requirements for condition-based maintenance (CBM). In the session, participants learned about predictive maintenance, for which AI is used to detect signs of device failure based on measurement data and to predict the remaining life of the devices. This training represents part of our effort to add more value to our products.

Basic model-based development training

Basic model-based development training

Training for Managers in Charge of Manufacturing Quality

Multicultural Communication Training

To improve our organization's strength in product quality at overseas facilities, we are providing training for workers who are dispatched overseas and to contact persons for overseas facilities. Specifically, we offer instruction on cultural aspects that are different from those in Japan, such as the ways of thinking about quality and how to proceed with administrative work in other countries. We encourage trainees to develop an understanding of specific ways of going about their work, such as how they should give instructions or check progress.

[Multicultural Communication Training] Quality Control for Overseas Dispatched Workers

[Multicultural Communication Training] Quality Control for Overseas Dispatched Workers