About the National Skills Competition
The National Skills Competition was launched in 1963 as a way to encourage the development of the next generation of skilled workers. Eligibility is generally restricted to technical workers aged 23 or under, with one participant from each prefecture in Japan. The Competition spans 42 different categories including machinery, construction and services. Canon has been participated in the competition since 2004 as part of our commitment to developing the monozukuri leaders of the future. Participants are generally new employees who have recently graduated high school and express an interest in representing Canon at the Competition.
National Skills Competition—42 categories in six groups
| Group |
Typical categories |
| Mechanics |
Precision machinery assembly, milling machine, lathe working, auto mechanics, clock repair |
| Metalwork |
Car body fabrication and painting, electric welding |
| Construction |
Tiling, plastering, furniture-making, gardening |
| Electronics |
Mechatronics, electronic device assembly, factory machinery and equipment |
| ICT |
Web design, IT network systems |
| Services/fashion |
Flower arrangement, hairdressing, cake making, Japanese cuisine |
Prefectural level
Held in all 47 prefectures in Japan. Entrants must be 23 or under. Overall winner goes on to represent their prefecture at the national level.
National level
Annual competition with representatives from the 47 prefectures. Winners receive gold, silver or bronze medals or meritorious achievement awards.
International level
The World Skills Competition is held every two years, with participants chosen via national competitions around the world.
Canon represented in four competition categories
Of the 42 categories in the National Skill Competition, Canon is represented in four categories related to manufacturing skills and expertise: milling, precision machinery assembly, mechatronics and electronic device assembly.
New employees are keen to take up the challenge
Trainees of the preparatory course for the National Skills Competition
New employees who have recently completed high school normally undertake a six-month induction-training course to gain a solid grounding in the basic principles of monozukuri. Those who wish to try out for the National Skills Competition, however, can instead nominate themselves for a special preparatory training course. Successful candidates express a desire to further enhance their skills and make a positive contribution to the future of monozukuri.
Physical, mental and technical development
The preparatory course for the National Skills Competition provides intensive training in each of the four categories selected by Canon. Trainees are coached by skilled workers with years of experience and participants from previous years, who provide advice and guidance on areas of particular concern and may also act as personal mentors during the daily sessions. The challenging training regimen to develop the required level of technical prowess starts from basic principles before branching off into respective fields of specialization tailored to the individual’s level of competence. Trainees are also given opportunities to develop mental strength by working on tasks from previous competitions, training in the presence of observers and undertaking joint training sessions with other companies.
Through a combination of physical training for stamina, mental training for strength of mind and a comprehensive skills development program, trainees prepare themselves for the ultimate challenge of demonstrating their prowess at the National Skills Competition.
Three years of preparation enables them to reach high levels of technical skill. As a result, they tend to perform very well in the workplace even after the National Skills Competition ends.
Competitors identify the appropriate rotating cutters (also known as a fraise) for transforming workpieces into the required shapes via cutting, drilling and groove machining. Specific task details are released in advance to allow competitors time to prepare strategies and methodologies. The task involves fabricating four metal components to a machining accuracy of 0.01 mm or better, then assembling them into a working product, within the allotted time.
Competition task
The task involves fabrication and assembly of four metal components
Initial workpieces
Finished components
Assembled product
Competitors are tasked with fabricating some 20 differently shaped components from such materials as iron and brass using three types of metal cutting and working machine tools (milling machine, lathe and surface grinder) as well as hand finishing by rasp or file, then assemble the parts and adjust as necessary. Task requirements are published in advance to allow competitors time to prepare strategies and methodologies; however, the task is then modified slightly on the day of the competition, such as with changes to design drawings, in order to assess competitors’ ability to adapt to change. Components must be fabricated to a precision of 0.001 mm—one-hundred times smaller than the width of a human hair—within the allotted time.
Competition task
The task involves machining and assembly of around 20 components
Initial workpieces
Finished components
Assembled product
Competitors work in pairs to assemble supplied components such as sensors, motors and robot arms in accordance with a set of specifications and drawings, only made available on the day of the competition, to produce a finished automated workstation. They are judged on the speed and accuracy of automation skills including machinery design, assembly and programming. Once the challenge is finished, competitors are given a further two days to make improvements and enhancements in accordance with instructions. This requires a teamwork-based approach, with the two competitors pooling their skills and expertise to devise solutions to whatever problems the task comprises.
Competition task
The task involves building and programming equipment
Make a workstation
