Manufacturing (welding) | Heat exchanger

Acquire world-renowned welding skills: Y.OJoined in 2023

#New graduates (high school/vocational school graduates)
#Technical jobs

My job description: Our company uses a technology called "vacuum brazing" to join metal parts, and we manufacture many heat exchangers that command the top market share in Japan. We are well-known within the industry, with customers not only in Japan but around the world. I am responsible for the post-brazing welding process in the manufacturing of industrial heat exchangers used in petrochemical, natural gas, steel, and semiconductor factories. This process involves welding components that allow liquids and gases to flow through the brazed heat exchanger body, as well as components for installing the heat exchanger. However, the materials used in our heat exchangers are already difficult to weld, and welding to brazed components is even more difficult. Furthermore, welds must pass various rigorous inspections, making hand-welding by skilled artisans essential. This is an essential process that supports our company's technology and reliability. In addition to welding, we also process materials using tools and specialized machinery. We create products that meet global demand and hone and master our core welding skills. This work stimulates the artisan's spirit.
Job satisfaction: When I first joined the company, I felt an overwhelming difference in ability when I saw my seniors welding, and wondered if I'd ever be able to do it like that. However, through daily work and practice, I gradually became able to do things that I couldn't do before. It's fun to feel that you're acquiring skills. I'm currently in my third year with the company, and I've already obtained four welding-related qualifications. My superiors told me, "I think you can get this qualification," and provided me with time to study and practice between work shifts, which is why I was able to obtain them. It's nice to see the entire company working hard to improve the technical skills of young employees. It's also rewarding to know that my improved skills are useful to the company.
Difficulty of the job: After joining the company, I underwent a two- to three-month training period. I had studied welding at technical high school, but I was amazed at the level of skill and precision I encountered here, and found it difficult. When the training period ended and it was finally time to weld the products, I remember feeling nervous, thinking, "Am I going to ruin the product?" Although not as nervous as back then, I still feel the same nervousness when working on products. When I see veterans weld, they finish so skillfully and flawlessly that I wonder if a robot did it. Each product has a different shape and size. There's a lot to remember. I wonder if I, an inexperienced person like myself, can do it... I have to continue honing my skills to overcome such feelings. Welding, recognized worldwide, is not an easy task.
The reason why I chose the company and what it's like to work here: I discovered the fascination of welding in technical high school and decided to pursue it as a career. When I mentioned this to my teacher, he introduced me to our company, saying, "If it's welding, that's it!" After that, I took a tour of the factory and strongly felt that I wanted to master this welding technique. When I joined the company, I was surprised at how generously my seniors taught me the techniques and know-how they possessed. Before joining, I thought I would learn techniques by watching their seniors, but in reality, that was not the case at all. If I asked a question, they would carefully teach me, and even if I didn't have a question, they would just drop by my workspace, share tips, and then leave. My seniors are so attentive and watch over me, nurturing me, that it's a very comfortable place to work. I think the awareness of passing on skills to younger employees is deeply ingrained in the organization.

The good points of the company: I'm proud that the "valuing young people" mentality is deeply rooted throughout our organization. I also make a conscious effort to monitor the work of my junior colleagues, and I strive to create an environment where they feel comfortable asking for advice. Perhaps it's because I work this way. On no-overtime days, we sometimes go out to eat together, transcending the senior-junior relationship. In my private time, I take every opportunity to ask my seniors about welding. It's fascinating and rewarding to hear in-depth stories and personal experiences that I wouldn't be able to hear during work hours. Also, I'd heard in high school that overtime is relatively common in this manufacturing industry, but even on the busiest days, overtime is only about two hours a day. I also get plenty of rest on weekends. When I tell this story to my classmates from technical high school, they often express their envy. I feel like I'm working in a very privileged environment.
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