IHI Subsidiary in Niigata Provides Internships to Local Students
IHI subsidiary Niigata Transys Co., Ltd., hosted two second-year students from the machinery course of Shibataminami Senior High School for a three-day internship from July 17 to 19, 2024.
The first day featured a corporate presentation, safety education, and a plant tour. The interns then engaged in hands-on training in manufacturing railway vehicles and maintenance vehicles. They gained experience in various tasks, including laser processing, sheet metal bending, and welding. To give them a sense of the manufacturing process for NTS products—specifically how a six-sided vehicle body is formed from a single sheet of metal—they created an original NTS metal die as the final product of their training.
On the second day, the interns took part in assembly training, putting together interior components and piping. They learned to use a wide range of tools for tasks such as drilling, riveting*, pipe cutting, and threading.
The third and last day focused on inspection training. The interns used three-dimensional measuring devices to check parts and performed functional tests on completed maintenance vehicles. This experience highlighted the importance of quality control in manufacturing.
*Riveting is a fastening process where two or more materials are joined together by inserting a metal pin, called a rivet, through aligned holes and deforming the rivet to hold the materials tightly.
During breaks, the interns engaged with employees, including graduates from their high school. The interns listened with great interest as the employees shared insights about their daily routine at work, the satisfaction of the job, and advice on what to focus on during their studies.
The three students thoroughly enjoyed the experience. One said, “I realized that creating a single product involves numerous processes.” The other added, “I discovered the joys of manufacturing and working with others.” This real-world experience deepened their understanding of companies and jobs and provided a valuable opportunity to consider potential career paths.
Through its internships and other programs, Niigata Transys will continue to support educational activities, mainly for schools in Niigata Prefecture, to foster the next generation of talent.