How long does the training course for new recruits last?
Group training normally lasts for about ten days. Once staff have been placed in their departments, practical training workshops on the factory floor are arranged, as well as practical training in recommendation sales on the shop floor, and in-store demonstrations. There are also various other training programs according to department.
Is there any support provided for self-directed learning?
Staff are able to take eLearning courses and take part in group training courses at special staff rates. Group training courses include a wide variety of classes on topics such as logical thinking, marketing, accounting and languages. In FY2011, a total of 1,983 staff members took part in group training courses. The company also offers partial subsidies for staff who complete correspondence courses or college courses.
Please tell me about any systems in place that would allow me to study at graduate schools in Japan as part of my work.
Since 2002, we have been sending staff to study at graduate/business schools in Japan, via a system designed to provide training support who show a strong motivation to learn comprehensive executive management skills and use those for the benefit of the Suntory Group. Staff on these courses will graduate with either a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) or Management of Technology (MOT) qualification.
We believe that staff are the most important resource for any business. We work hard to provide staff with opportunities through which they can undertake new challenges and develop their potential professionally in order to develop their career and make full use of their skills. This is because we want Suntory to be a company that supports its staff as they realize their full potential. Our staff training policy is focused on creating a training ‘chain’, where all parties are able to grow through a process by which one party teaches and mentors others. We are also committed to on-the-job training. Within the personnel management cycle, which follows staff from the moment they join the company to the moment they leave, we provide essential training programs tailored to each stage of a staff member’s career, and also run practical training in sales and production in each department.
