In October 2007, 113 employees who got through preliminary rounds at 18 worldwide bases in countries including China, the Czech Republic, and the United States took part in DAIKIN Global Skills Competition. During the five days of this competition, participants showed off the hard work they have been putting in daily on the job by competing for the top spots in six events including die manufacturing, sheet metal processing, and arc welding. Contestants fought a spirited battle for the honor of being named an "Excellent Technician."

To make the competition more rewarding for participants, the day before it started we held talks on the PDS* method and quality philosophy, as well as hands-on demonstrations by certified Meister technicians. This was a rare opportunity to take lessons from seasoned veterans and to experience advanced techniques firsthand and learn theories that would spark a desire to improve. Daikin's aim in these programs is to pass on advanced skills of manufacturing to technicians so that they can go back to their bases and, in turn, pass on this knowledge and skill to other employees.

*PDS (Production of Daikin System): A proprietary Daikin production system for reducing unit cost. Based on changing demand for different product models, production is adjusted to be efficient and flexible and thus reduce wasted time and energy.

Before the Daikin Global Skills Competition, a brazing master of Daikin came to OYLM and trained two of my colleagues and me on higher brazing skill for three months. Since it was the first time for all of us to participate in such a big event, we were so nervous. It was, however, a great opportunity to see other participants' beautiful work, and we were so impressed. I am very honored to have been awarded the third prize. During the training session, three of us practiced really hard and cooperated with each other all the time. I believe such efforts brought me great results.

Mohd Kamal Ariffin Hussain O.Y.L. Manufacturing

Daikin's sales engineer training ensures that our sales engineers can offer customers the highest-quality solutions. On-the-job training courses are divided into levels according to employees' job experience and skill level. Participants learn how to negotiate with customers and manage other sales personnel.

Daikin believes that teaching others stimulates personal growth. During their first year in the company, employees learn the basics of products and air conditioning technologies from their superiors, but from their second year they begin teaching those under them. In frank discussions held between new and experienced employees on a weekly basis, employees stimulate and encourage each other to improve their abilities.

I am currently studying the Daikin VRV System Design Handbook, which was written by an experienced sales engineer at our company, to learn about this major Daikin product line. After I take in all there is to know, I want to pass this knowledge on to employees junior to me.

Du Pengfei Technical Department Daikin (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (Joined company in 2008)

Because EU country citizens do not need a working visa to work in other EU countries and because wage discrepancies can be significant, the migration of workers from
Central Europe (Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, etc.) to Western Europe is becoming a serious problem. Against this background, Daikin Central Europe established the Daikin Sales Academy, where students take two-year courses that will make them valuable human resources for the economies of the region. While attending university, students take on-the-job training at a nearby Daikin sales base, and once a month take part in classes in Vienna on sales techniques, and product basics and technologies.

Through an employment system that turns out workers who can play a key role in Central Europe's economy, we ensure that the region has the kind of workforce needed.