A Unique Career Experience Program for Middle School Students
From September 17 to 19, 2025, Dormy Inn Hon-Hachinohe will open its doors to students from Tanabu Junior High School in Mutsu City, offering them a hands-on experience designed to inspire and educate about future career paths. This initiative, known as the "DOMINISTA CHALLENGE," initiated by Kyoritsu Maintenance Co., Ltd., has been fostering professional awareness among middle and high school students since 2019, across hotels nationwide.
What is the DOMINISTA CHALLENGE?
The DOMINISTA CHALLENGE is more than just a career exploration opportunity. It allows young students to engage in various tasks typically performed in the hospitality industry, including customer service at the front desk, room cleaning, and preparing facilities before they open. This program aims to provide students with insights into the workforce by helping them understand the importance of cooperation and the satisfaction of contributing to others.
As students interact with guests, they not only learn about job roles but also gain an appreciation for cultural diversity, as they encounter individuals from various backgrounds. This initiative is especially relevant in today's globalized society, where interaction across different cultures is commonplace. Over the years, more than 60 schools have participated in the program, particularly in the Tohoku region, highlighting its value in career education.
Program Schedule and Activities
During the three days of the program, students will embark on a variety of activities designed to enrich their understanding of the hospitality sector:
- - Day 1: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Introduction to career roles in the hotel industry and its appeal. Participants will engage in customer service training.
- - Day 2: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Students will check guest rooms and prepare the public baths, learning about facility management. They'll also take part in a restaurant trial that includes a breakfast tasting.
- - Day 3: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM - Continued hands-on experience and reflection on what they've learned during the program.
The emphasis throughout is to equip students with the mindset necessary for the job market, developing skills such as independent thinking, cooperation, facing challenges, and envisioning their futures.
Perspectives from Educators and Hotel Managers
A representative from Tanabu Junior High School emphasized the need for students to cultivate certain skills throughout this experience: the ability to think and act independently, work collaboratively, tackle hardships, and visualize their future aspirations. Similarly, Hama Nakagawa, the manager of Dormy Inn Hon-Hachinohe, expressed gratitude for being chosen as the venue for this significant learning experience. He believes that this program will teach participants about the essence of work and its connection to society, ultimately aiding them in considering their career paths.
Addressing Contemporary Challenges Through Education
In today's unpredictable socioeconomic landscape, understanding the meaning and fulfillment derived from work is crucial. With a declining population, it is essential that students develop a bond with their hometowns and become active contributors to solutions within their communities. Kyoritsu Maintenance aims to instill in students a sense of empathy and joy derived from work, fostering a love for their communities and encouraging proactive measures toward societal challenges.
About Dormy Inn
Dormy Inn is a distinctive business hotel chain that combines the comfort of home with the philosophy of hospitality. It operates under the mantra of being a "comfortable and simple 'living hotel'," offering standard business hotel amenities alongside premium traditional accommodations like "Onyado Nono." The chain boasts 98 hotels in Japan and two overseas, totaling 100 establishments.
About Kyoritsu Maintenance
Founded in 1979, Kyoritsu Maintenance began its journey in the corporate meals business. Today, it runs student and employee dormitories under the Dormy brand, business and resort hotels, as well as senior housing services, focusing on enhancing life quality through food, accommodation, and therapeutic services.
For schools interested in engaging with the DOMINISTA CHALLENGE, contact Kyoritsu Maintenance's Human Resource Development Department.