In the second half of our discussion, Toyota's WorldSkills gold medalists shared how they like to recharge, as well as their goals for the future. We also checked in with one of the instructors who led them to success.
We sat down for a chat with the eight Toyota employees who won gold medals at the 2024 WorldSkills and National Skills competitions. In the first half, they talked about their mindsets heading into competition and their treasured tools of the trade.
The conversation then turned to the ways they recharge between training and advice for those following in their footsteps. Whether it is driving, outdoor activities, or origami, even top-level competitors need moments when they can unwind.
And having reached their gold medal milestones, what goals do they hold for the future?
Here is the rest of our discussion.
Finding improvements in other fields
As part of your training, did you learn from people in other occupations?
Hinata Kubo, Plastic Die Engineering
I didn’t go and speak to them directly, but the plastic die engineers also do computer designs for their dies. As for the drawing process, I figured that Yuki Morioka in mechanical drawing would be really knowledgeable. Communicating through the instructors, I asked him if I was doing things right, and whether there was a quicker way. Thanks to him I learned more efficient ways of preparing the drawings.
Yuki Morioka, Mechanical Drawing & Design
It was the same for me—through the instructors, Kubo and the plastic die team shared information that only they had, and that helped me work faster.
I eat lunch with colleagues from other occupations, which gives me a chance to hear about their current challenges and work situations, and I can incorporate their ideas.
(Pointing to prototype modeler Aoi Mizuno) In fabrication disciplines, basically they’re continually crafting one-off items, so they really have to master the process and exclude anything unnecessary. We try to improve our own work by applying this idea and figuring out where such areas exist in mechanical drawing and establishing standard processes.
Mizuno, your prototype modeling is a fabrication discipline—did you simply concentrate on your own work?
Aoi Mizuno, Prototype Modeling
I guess I did. After this year’s tasks were announced in advance, I was determined to do it all on my own. Initially I told the instructors that I wanted to try going it alone, and I didn’t ask anyone anything until the first task was done.
Ways to recharge
While you were intensely focused on the task, did you do anything to give yourself a break or a change of scenery?
Mizuno, Prototype Modeling Around July, I bought a car and going for a drive became my way of recharging.
Did anyone else have other ways of recharging?
Kubo, Plastic Die Engineering I did swimming up to junior high, so on days off I would go for a little swim, nothing too tiring. Otherwise, I might go visit my parents back in Toyota City and play with their cat and rabbit, or think about something other than the competition to clear my head.
Ouga Karouji, Mechatronics
Personally, I tend to prefer nature to the machines we deal with in mechatronics. Buying a car allowed me to go for longer trips, so I recharged by going to enjoy a nearby river.
Several places had a similar feel to the scenery back home*, which was comforting.
*Karouji grew up in Aomori Prefecture with a three-minute walk from vast countryside views.
When I asked about keeping active, Yamasaki you were shaking your head.
Soudai Yamasaki, Mechatronics
I was always an active person and liked to exercise, but since I really couldn’t afford to get injured, I gave it up. In mechatronics, we compete with our whole bodies, so any injury would have affected my performance. I know it’s probably the most unexciting hobby here, but I do origami.
All What?!
Yamasaki, Mechatronics Is it that surprising? In origami, you fold the paper according to blueprints, just as you follow the drawings to assemble equipment in mechatronics. The assembled equipment ends up being big, but the quality of the final product comes from always paying careful attention to small details as you go. I think it has that in common with origami too.
Karouji, Mechatronics How much time do you spend on it?
Yamasaki, Mechatronics The most I spent on a piece was about eight hours. I was working on it the whole time. Now that the competition is over, I’m slowly getting back to being more active.