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Doronko Group: Pioneering HR Transformation in the Welfare and Education Sector

In a remarkable achievement for the welfare and education sector, the Doronko Group, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, has been awarded the prestigious "Best Award in HR Transformation" at the "Career Ownership Management Award 2026". This accolade marks a significant milestone as it is the first time that an organization in this sector has received such an honor.

The Career Ownership Management Award is designed to recognize companies that effectively blend individual autonomous growth with sustainable organizational development. The HR Transformation category specifically celebrates initiatives that expand the role of HR in alignment with business strategies, transforming traditional HR practices into strategic organizational frameworks.

During the award ceremony, led by Masato Watanabe, the head of the Career Counseling Office, Doronko Group’s innovative approach was highlighted. The welfare and education industry has often grappled with rigid career paths, limiting employees to advancements solely within their facility’s hierarchy. This linear approach, where growth equates to promotion, can diminish the self-efficacy of motivated professionals. Doronko Group took a bold step by viewing these challenges not as individual shortcomings but as organizational design issues, leading to comprehensive reforms in its HR practices.

The judges commended Doronko Group's redefinition of career support from a peripheral employee benefit to a core management foundation that enhances organizational sustainability and the quality of education and childcare. They particularly noted the establishment of a feedback loop based on self-understanding and dialogue, which fosters a culture of challenge, learning, and role expansion. Initiatives like external training and opportunities for public speaking have paved the way for multidimensional career paths.

Initiatives and Achievements

Under the guiding principle, “We cultivate human power,” Doronko Group has developed systems that empower staff to autonomously shape their futures. It operates on the belief that the adults guiding children must actively learn, choose, and make judgments as these qualities are essential for nurturing the “human power” of children.

Key Initiatives Include:

1. Self-Career Dock: A program for 266 employees in their 3rd to 5th year, focusing on career workshops and one-on-one counselling to deepen self-awareness and motivation.
2. Career Design Survey: A survey involving all employees to visualize their career aspirations and values three to ten years into the future, facilitating organizational sharing and alignment.
3. Job Challenge Program: Opportunities for staff to explore roles in different departments or functions, broadening their career experiences.
4. Lecturer Participation in Training: Ten staff members serve as instructors in internal childcare training courses, sharing their expertise.
5. External Training Contributions: Five staff members represent the organization as instructors in regional training events, demonstrating their professional capabilities.
6. Development of Internal Career Consultants: Training five staff members to act as internal career advisors, enhancing peer support.
7. Hierarchical Training Programs: Targeted training for facility directors, managers, and leaders to enhance role comprehension and team communication.
8. Internal Newsletter: A platform sharing diverse career examples and initiatives among facilities to encourage multi-directional career development.
9. Updated Evaluation Systems: Implementation of competency-based evaluations and interview skills training to assess the quality of education and childcare effectively.

Insights from Leadership

Masato Watanabe expressed profound honor in receiving the highest award in HR Transformation for the welfare and education sector. Since the establishment of the Career Counseling Office in April 2023, he has addressed the conventional belief of “growth equals promotion,” which has long hindered potential in this industry.

Watanabe emphasized the importance of recognizing the meaningful contributions of staff in shaping children’s futures, allowing them to consciously acknowledge their value and make empowered choices along their career paths.

This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of the Doronko Group's staff, illustrating that the journey towards meaningful professional development is ongoing and that it is never too late to take on new challenges. He affirmed their unwavering commitment to creating an environment where every individual understands the significance of their work and can actively choose their path forward, thereby enhancing the quality of education and care for children.

About the Career Ownership Management Award 2026

This award aims to recognize innovative companies that maximize individual capabilities, thereby improving overall vitality in both the corporate and societal realms.

• - Organizer: Career Ownership Management Award 2026 Executive Committee
• - Co-organizer: Future Consortium for Career Ownership
• - Chair of the Judging Panel: Kunio Ito, Director of the CFO Education Research Center at Hitotsubashi University.
• - Award Ceremony Date: May 12, Location: Tokyo Midtown Yaesu Conference.

Learn More About Doronko Group:

• - Website: Doronko Official
• - Social Media: Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

This breakthrough achievement underscores the pivotal role of innovation in career development within the welfare and education sphere, paving the way for future advancements in HR practices.