JICE has organized two training programs; Saudi Japanese Automobile High Institute (SJAHI (*1)) junior instructor training program from September 21st to December 12th, 2015, and SJAHI student overseas internship program in Japan from September 19th to October 1st, 2015.

Three participants of SJAHI junior instructor training program took lectures of business manner, Japanese culture and language, and the report writing at JICE headquarters, then moved to Toyota Technical College Tokyo for learning teaching methods. They accordingly visited six different Japanese leading automobile manufacturers. SJAHI junior instructors received training at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, Mazda Motor Corporation, and ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED. They learned the techniques of automobile mechanic and unique features of each automobile manufacturer.

As a closing of the program, JICE held the final report meeting/farewell party with inviting guests involved in the program. Each of SJAHI participants gave a presentation about what they learned through training program and their action plan at this meeting. They were very eager to practice techniques and knowledge which they acquired during their training program after they go back to SJAHI.

Group photo of farewell party
Participants, guests involved in the program and JICE staff

On the other hand, SJAHI student overseas internship program in Japan focused on the advanced automobile maintenance technology including EV and hybrid vehicles, the customer oriented service spirit in car dealers, work ethics spirit, and 5S and Kaizen activities through observation, lectures and practical training in order to enhance knowledge and skills of SJAHI students on automobile maintenance. Ten selected SJAHI students and three SJAHI staff joined this program.

* SJAHI was established in September 2002 based on the cooperation between public and private enterprise of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan (Japanese side: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) by the request of the Government of Saudi Arabia. After the cooperation by JICA completed in 2009, JICE was assigned as an implementing organization of Japanese side from Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and has organized the training programs in Japan, dispatch of long term experts, provisions of equipment and materials since the assignment.