Yuko Tsuchida, chief of the Kashiwazaki Sales Group of Hokuriku Steel, a JFE Shoji Group company, has become the first woman in the shearing industry in Niigata Prefecture to be certified as a "Level 1 Steel Frame Fabrication Management Engineer". This certification is for engineers who perform fabrication management and quality control tasks at steel fabrication plants, and requires comprehensive knowledge of steel frames to obtain the certification.

Mr. Tsuchida decided to obtain the certification about six months ago. In conversations with customers, he felt that he lacked knowledge about steel frames, and he wanted to be able to understand their needs more deeply and make better proposals. She also had more opportunities to meet with female architectural fabricators and admired their activities. In studying for the exam, she repeatedly solved the questions and looked at the textbook to check the parts she did not understand. He spent an average of two hours a day for six months studying, because if he slacked off even for one day, he would not want to do it.

The exam was more difficult than he had imagined, and he had doubts about passing it, but he passed without incident. Mr. Tsuchida says, "I was relieved that I passed. It was a challenge to myself, who had almost forgotten how to take on big challenges, so I thought that if my hard work led to results, it would give me confidence. I was very happy to see my efforts take shape at that moment. I am also grateful to the company for giving me the chance. He is determined to make use of the knowledge he has gained and continue to take on challenges, even small ones, to become a salesperson who can think from the customer's point of view.

Our group will continue to support our employees for their growth.