Talent Management
Basic Stance/Policy
The following provisions are outlined in The THK Group Action Charter.
Policy
- In addition to promoting work-life balance, we establish a human resources system that treats employees in a way that facilitates the employment of a diverse workforce.
- We respect the individuality of each employee and support the development of their careers and abilities through education, training, and other opportunities.
Supporting Development
We are working to support the development of our employees in order to empower individuals. In addition, we are promoting specific measures to accomplish this goal in alignment with our three growth strategies.
Empowering individuals in alignment with our growth strategies
-
Full-scale globalization:
Developing talent that can succeed globally -
Development of new business areas:
Conducting the 66 Project* and our basic technical training program -
Change in business style:
Developing talent that utilizes data to be able to quickly adapt to a digital society
New Hire and Follow-Up Training
Since 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, new hire training has been conducted in a hybrid virtual and in-person format lasting until the end of April. Afterward, new employees undergo a period of practical training at various production facilities and then are sent to their assigned workplaces. Although we have added a great deal of data utilization elements to this training in order to center it around the development of DX talent, the so-called "digital native" new hires joining the company lately exhibit a high level of comprehension and adaptability when it comes to these things. Sensing this, we are now further expanding the data utilization training that we offer to newer employees.
For people in their second year of employment, because they have mostly been working from home since receiving their official assignments, we have been conducting a monthly online check-in with each individual to assess their motivation level. Additionally, we have performed follow-up training in logical communication as a solution to problems in communication with managers and customers.
Activities and Results
Work and Family-Life Balance Support System
We have created the Work and Family-Life Balance Support Handbook for Guardians and Caregivers to help employees achieve work-life balance by facilitating maternity and paternity leave as well as child and family care leave. Furthermore, we have established a work environment where everyone understands the system and can focus on their work without worry.
Paid Vacation Utilization System
As one measure to revolutionize the way we work, we introduced a system in April 2019 that allows employees to use their annual paid vacation by the hour. This is a means to improve work-life balance and increase the annual percent of vacation utilized.
In this system, vacation can be taken in one-hour increments instead of full or half-day units.
As a result, employees can take shorter amounts of time off to balance their personal and professional needs, creating an environment where workload stress can be reduced, and it is easier to take time off by doing so a little at a time. We anticipate this will improve work-life balance and increase the annual percent of vacation utilized.
Caregiver Leave System
We offer a caregiver leave system for employees to take up to 93 days off, split among three leaves of absence. Leaves of absence include time off for caregivers and accumulated paid leave.
Childcare Leave System
Options for leaves of absence and shortened work hours include a childcare leave system for those with children up to 2 years old, shortened work hours for those with children in school up to 6th grade, and childcare time for those with children up to 1 year of age. Leaves of absence include time off for sick child care and accumulated paid leave.
THK Internal Certification System
In order to improve quality, we have implemented a number of classes and practical training programs at numerous production facilities that are targeted at inspectors, with contents based on the mechanical inspection section of Japan's National Trade Skill Test and Certification system. Employees undergo internal testing after completing this training program, and only those who pass are allowed to perform the inspection process.
Efforts at Each Facility
THK Wuxi Plant
Technical Qualification Certification
From September to December, employees obtained certification from the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Affairs. First, they took theoretical knowledge classes and received guidance relevant for technical workers from a vocational technical school teacher, and they created a system for technical worker education and evaluation. The employees then took the knowledge and practical examinations, and ninety-one received their Intermediate Engineer Certificate. Furthermore, the 220 persons who received their Advanced Engineer Certificate in 2019 have begun giving guidance on the plant floor.
Received the 2021 Award for Excellence in Proportionate Employment for Persons with Disabilities
In November, the Wuxi plant received the 2021 Award for Excellence in Proportionate Employment for Persons with Disabilities award for the second year in a row, following 2020. Currently, they have 26 such employees working in assembly, the warehouse, wrapping and packing, and quality assurance. The Wuxi plant will continue to maintain a safe working environment for all of its employees.
THK Changzhou Plant
Talent Development Initiatives
In December 2021, THK Changzhou signed a contract with the Changzhou Institute of Technology to establish a cooperative relationship for the development of excellent talent. The THK Changzhou Engineering Class was established and hands-on classes were held in the plant in February 2022.
In October, the facility also held an opening ceremony for an Order Class with the Changzhou Institute of Technology. The program is an opportunity to develop professional skills by having technical employees serve as instructors to impart knowledge of the company's products, quality control methods, block rough processing, and threaded shaft assembly to the students.
