#Japan #Digital Training #FORVAL #Iwakuni #Iwakuni City

Forval to Foster Digital Workforce in Iwakuni City

Forval Inc., based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has taken a significant step in supporting sustainable economic growth in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The company, which operates under the motto "Creating a new world with a new normal," has been contracted to manage the 2025 Digital Workforce Development and Support Project initiated by the city's mayor, Yoshihiko Fukuda.

Background of the Project

Iwakuni City, home to approximately 5,200 businesses, is predominantly composed of small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs. These businesses play a vital role in the local economy and employment generation. However, many of them are currently facing a myriad of challenges such as recruiting and training talent, rising costs due to inflation, responding to wage increases and working style reforms, and declining sales.

Additionally, as a coastal industrial city, Iwakuni has traditionally relied on manufacturing and construction industries. This has created an unbalanced industrial structure that lacks diversity, particularly in terms of workplace options for women and youth, as well as employment opportunities in administrative and IT sectors, which are critical gaps that the city is striving to address.

In light of these realities, Forval has been entrusted with the mandate to implement the digital workforce development project aimed at solving the dual challenges of corporate transformation through digitalization and talent development.

Objectives of the Project

The primary goal of this project is to provide tailored support for digital technology adoption by local SMEs while also offering educational opportunities for those who are unemployed or seeking career advancement. To achieve higher productivity and effective talent acquisition in the region, Forval aims to facilitate:
1. Implementation of on-the-ground surveys of local SMEs to understand their challenges regarding digital technology usage, workforce training, and the skills they demand from prospective employees.
2. Planning and conducting comprehensive educational programs focused on enhancing business skills, including the effective use of digital technologies. This initiative aims to cultivate a conducive environment for digital adoption which in turn would lead to increased productivity and operational efficiency for local business.
3. Providing educational programs in digital skills and broadly applicable business skills to the unemployed and others seeking job placements. The goal is to empower citizens with relevant skills that align with the evolving workforce needs of local companies.

Community Engagement and Support

Comments from the Iwakuni City Commerce Promotion Division highlight the importance of adapting digital technologies to counter persistent labor shortages and various operational challenges faced by local SMEs. They acknowledged that promoting digital technology adoption is crucial for ensuring business sustainability.

As part of the project implementation, Forval will leverage insights from accomplished support organizations to ensure that assistance is both effective and relevant to the local business and workforce contexts. The initiative aims to create a robust industrial foundation capable of meeting the demands of today’s rapidly changing environment.

About Forval Inc.

Forval, established in 1980, focuses on visible and supportive ESG management through its unique approach embodied by its team of "corporate doctors"—next-generation business consultants. The company specializes in five key areas: information and communication, international business, environmental affairs, human resources and education, as well as business startups and succession. With a commitment to nurturing digital and green transformation (DX and GX) across Japan, Forval collaborates with local governments, private businesses, educational institutions, and financial bodies to drive economic revitalization and contribute to sustainable community development.

For more information on Forval, please visit their official website.