Canon India has unveiled improvements to its Apprenticeship Training Program in partnership with the Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM). Initially introduced in 2015 under the Skill India initiative, Canon India’s Apprenticeship Program enrolls 30-35 apprentices each year at different sites across India. With this enhanced collaboration, Canon aims to enhance and standardize the program, focusing on the Canon Technical Excellence Centre (CTEC) in Noida.
The Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing is a joint initiative between Japan and India, formed under a 2016 memorandum of understanding between Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Canon’s upgraded Apprenticeship Training Program in collaboration with JIM provides a comprehensive curriculum tailored to equip engineering graduates and diploma holders with essential skills. This enhanced program introduces a structured framework that enables standardized training at the CTEC facility, fostering greater opportunities for in-person collaboration and enhancing the effectiveness of learning Japanese service orientation methods.
Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, President & CEO, Canon India, stated, “Talent is a critical contributing factor to the success of an industry, and Canon is committed to empowering the youth of India with relevant and cutting-edge skills. Recognizing the transformative power of education and skill development, the Apprenticeship Training Program aims to equip young engineers with the latest technical expertise while also instilling in them the values of innovation and excellence. Through our partnership with the Japan-India Institute of Manufacturing, we are striving to nurture future experts who will drive progress in the service and manufacturing sectors”.
Canon India’s Apprenticeship Training Program now includes a comprehensive year-long curriculum designed for both engineering graduates and diploma holders. The program is structured into three phases: starting with an induction phase that emphasizes foundational learning including soft skills and system skills, followed by on-the-job training that integrates product skills with service practices, and concluding with advanced training focused on product maintenance, culminating in final assessments.
Throughout the span of one year, participants will acquire knowledge and hands-on experience across critical areas such as Kaizen, 5S, product principles, customer service techniques, and communication skills. The comprehensive curriculum encompasses training in customer service processes, Canon’s product portfolio, Japanese philosophies, computer and IT competencies covering network fundamentals and software applications, as well as technical skills for troubleshooting entry and mid-level products. This intensive training regimen comprises 4 weeks of online learning, 4 weeks of classroom sessions, and 40 weeks of practical on-the-job training. Upon successful completion of the program, Canon will maintain a talent pool for potential internal recruitment opportunities and offer apprentices pathways to join service partners throughout India.
Ms. Shikha Rai, Senior Vice President of HR & IT, Canon India, added, “The Apprenticeship Program at Canon India is being further strengthened under the JIM initiative. For the young technical workforce joining us under the program, we ensure that they develop into confident and competent professionals with a good foundation of organizational culture, product knowledge, customer handling skills, and hands-on servicing skills. The Apprenticeship Program not only makes them job-ready but also aims towards their holistic development by instilling Canon’s corporate values like the San-ji Spirit of ‘Three Self’s’—self-motivation, self-management, and self-awareness and Japanese business practices like punctuality, Kaizen, Horenso, 5S, PDCA etc. This initiative underscores our commitment to nurturing talent and creating future leaders”.
