#Japan #Tokyo #education innovation #Canon Marketing #MoonJapan

New Approach to High School Graduate Hiring

Canon Marketing Japan Inc. has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MoonJapan Inc. to launch a pilot project focusing on a revolutionary model for high school graduate recruitment. Through the integration of non-cognitive abilities such as perseverance and teamwork, which are developed in project-based learning, this initiative aims to enhance the transparency of evaluations in recruitment processes.

Addressing Labor Shortages

With projections indicating that by 2040, Japan will experience a significant decrease in its working-age population to approximately 80% of current levels, addressing labor shortages is becoming increasingly urgent. The challenges posed by low birth rates and an aging population necessitate innovations in recruitment practices, particularly for high school graduates who represent the next generation of talent in the workforce. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has reported that the turnover rate for high school graduates within three years of employment is a staggering 37.9%, largely attributed to mismatches between employers and job seekers during the hiring process.

The Role of Inquiry-Based Learning

In recent years, Japanese high schools have increasingly emphasized inquiry-based learning programs, where students set their own challenges and engage deeply in the learning process over extended periods. Such education fosters essential skills like initiative, collaboration, and problem-solving. Despite their significance, the assessment of these non-cognitive skills remains complex, leading to insufficient use of these vital learning outcomes in guiding career paths and recruitment.

The Pilot Project Overview

This pilot project aims to leverage data collected via MoonJapan's inquiry-based learning platform. Students' activity logs, reflections, feedback from teachers, and their completed projects will be structured to visualize non-cognitive abilities and individual strengths through rubric evaluation methods. This structured data will provide a standardized way for both schools and companies to make informed hiring decisions based on objective evidence, thereby enhancing outcomes for students by better aligning their abilities with employer needs.

Canon's Commitment to Open Innovation

Canon Marketing Japan is dedicated to tackling societal challenges while recognizing the future value creation that arises from collaboration. By utilizing its extensive networks and social implementation capabilities, Canon aims to address the pressing issue of labor shortages and explore sophisticated methodologies for integrating inquiry-based learning data within recruitment. The company is committed to fostering mutual understanding between educational institutions and businesses to establish a supportive ecosystem where everyone can thrive and succeed.

Expected Outcomes from the Pilot

The anticipated benefits from this pilot project include:
For Companies:

• - A clearer understanding of students' strengths and characteristics beyond traditional interviews and documents, leading to more satisfactory hiring experiences.
• - The use of inquiry learning data to inform initial assignment and training designs, boosting early productivity and retention rates.
• - Reduction in mismatches post-hire in high school graduate recruitment.

For Schools and Students:

• - Increased realization of how their inquiry-based learning can lead to career opportunities and paths.
• - Supporting students in articulating their strengths, thereby improving their decision-making in career choices.
• - Enhancement of the quality of career support provided by educational institutions.

This project operates under strict adherence to personal information protection and ethical standards, ensuring responsible use of data in compliance with relevant laws.

Lastly, the collaborative efforts between Canon Marketing Japan and MoonJapan aim to not only innovate recruitment practices but also contribute significantly to the development of a sustainable society where individuals can flourish uniquely and authentically.