Aioi Works Provides Internships for Local High School Students
Each year, the IHI Aioi Works provides internships for local high school students. In October 2023, the works accepted four students from the Machinery Department at Hyogo Prefectural Aioi Industrial High School and two students from the Welding Department at Hyogo Prefectural Himeji Technical High School in November.
The first day of the internship program covered an overview of IHI and the activities of the Works, safety education, and a tour that included the facility’s Carbon Solution Museum. From the second day, the interns tried new welding techniques at the Technical Training Center and visited the Hazard Simulation Center to learn about occupational risks and the prime importance of safety at manufacturing sites. In the area of ammonia combustion and other testing, the interns learned about IHI’s advanced carbon neutrality efforts. They also spent time with frontline workers in the manufacturing and quality control departments to see how they work and understand the skills involved in IHI’s manufacturing processes.
The last day of the program featured a roundtable discussion with employees who graduated from the interns’ high schools. The employees answered questions about everything ranging from what happens at construction sites they visit for work to the certifications students should acquire at school.
The interns learned much from the experience. One was particularly impressed with the concentration levels of workers performing highly technical manufacturing tasks. Another found it a good opportunity to realize the need to become more knowledgeable before entering the workforce. Overall, the participants were able to learn more about corporate life and jobs by gaining experience at a manufacturing site and considering their career paths.
The IHI Group will keep collaborating with school internship programs and other educational initiatives to help develop tomorrow’s talent.