In July 2007, Nissan Motor Co, Ltd. initiated the "Nissan Monozukuri Caravan" for elementary schools in Kanagawa Prefecture as part of its corporate citizenship activities.
The "Nissan Monozukuri Caravan" is Nissan's unique education program that incorporates Nissan's manufacturing expertise as an educational tool. The experiential educational support program allows children to experience the fun of monozukuri and think of creative ideas for efficient and high-quality production. The hands-on experience will provide a different understanding of manufacturing compared to a regular plant tour.
 The lesson comprises a 90-minute class split into two sessions. In the first session, the students complete a trial assembly and process improvement activities using assembly blocks. Students are divided into groups of 7 to 8, and each student is assigned a role, such as assembly, logistics, inspection, or time-keeping, in order to create two vehicles. Initially, a bit apprehensive, the students quietly completed their assigned work. Based on the results of the first exercise, the instructor asked what would make the process go faster and more accurate. A student suggested "if people with assembled the parts in advance, the vehicle could be made faster," "if the parts are well-organized in advance, it would be easier to start working," and more ideas progressed. Putting these ideas into application, the students worked on assembling again. The second time, the vehicles were made faster and better than the first time, and the students celebrate the improved results. From such an experience, the children were able to understand the concept of creating ideas (kaizen) for efficient production. |
 In the second session, to provide students with hands-on manufacturing experience, actual materials and equipment from the plants are used for the training which is conducted under the strict supervision of an experienced vehicle assembler,. Utilizing torque wrenches and impact wrenches, the students experience the assembly processes. They also learn the importance of safety with the "Anzen Daiichi-kun"iSafety First mannequinjclad in safety equipment used by the plant employees. Additionally, the students compete to see how fast they could work with their fingers by trying to solve a wooden puzzle. The lesson is structured to allow each student to experience the various manufacturing processes. Finally, the students watch the assembly-expert demonstrate the tightening and loosening of bolts using an impact wrench. The students applauded the skillful demonstration. The session closed with a review of what they have learnt earlier. |
 Principal Michiko Ouchi of Tateno Elementary School who attended the lesson had high praise for the lesson. She said, "It was a good experience for the students to understand the concept of improvement in the manufacturing industry." Nissan Vice Chairman Tadao Takahashi, who initiated the program, said "I hope that the students learn the importance of teamwork in manufacturing, and the intention to make good-quality products. While Nissan is becoming more global, we continue to value the intimate cooperation with local communities," while stressing the continuation of the program in the future. |
