Hakodate Dock Women's Empowerment Declaration
A new perspective
Vision of the future
Hakodate Dock Women's Empowerment Declaration
A new perspective
Vision of the future
Hakodate Dock has many female employees.
The site, the design, and the future.
Interview with a female employee
Shipbuilding Department, Outfitting Division, Ship Outfitting Section
RS-san
There are many rewarding jobs that we can do, so we would love to have more colleagues take on the challenge.
RS san
Shipbuilding Department, Outfitting Division, Ship Outfitting Section Staff
1. Please tell us about your current job and responsibilities.
After the ship is launched, I am in charge of installing copper pipes to the hydraulic equipment, installing water supply and drainage pipes to the washbasins in the accommodation area, etc. I also do various other tasks such as filling and adjusting ballast water, and attaching nameplates.
2. What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Because only the start and finish are determined by the blueprint, there are times when I have to think up the piping route and install it myself. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I complete the piping neatly and successfully just as I imagined, and I am very happy when I receive praise from my seniors and superiors.
3.What kind of experience or learning did you have at this company? Also, is there anything you would like to improve your skills in the future?
I think I have acquired the ability to think for myself and solve problems, something I didn't have much experience with when I was a student.
Perhaps thanks to that, I was allowed to work alone on the ship currently being built.
Also, the people around me tell me it's OK if I fail, so I want to keep taking on new challenges and improve my level.
4. Do you have any advice for juniors joining the company in terms of preparation before joining the company?
I joined the company as the first female construction staff member, so at first I felt anxious and pressured about being involved in shipbuilding, but my success in training and the praise I received gave me confidence.
There are some difficult aspects, but there is a lot of work that we can do that is rewarding, so I would be happy if more people would take on the challenge.
5.What do you do on your days off?
I sleep! (laughs) I also spend my time watching dramas.
Shipbuilding Department Outfitting Section Staff
EH-san
It's rewarding to see the work being carried out according to the schedule I created.
EH-san
Shipbuilding Department Outfitting Section Staff
1. Please tell us about your current job and responsibilities.
During the process of building ships that carry cargo all over the world while the crew live, I am in charge of tasks such as managing work schedules, installing pipes for the ship's water supply and drainage, and checking the finished product.
2. What do you find most rewarding about your work?
It's rewarding to see the work being carried out according to the schedule I created.
Now that the ship is completed, I receive words of thanks directly from customers, and the crew members come up to me and ask how to use the equipment, so it makes me happy to see them relying on me. It will motivate me to do my best to be of even greater help on the next ship.
3.What kind of experience or learning did you have at this company? Also, is there anything you would like to improve your skills in the future?
Resolving problems and issues involves departments other than the one in charge, so I feel that it is necessary to be able to see things from a broad perspective.
Also, since I have no experience and have no fixed ideas or common sense about shipbuilding, I would like to continue to pursue the questions I have about various things and improve the process, etc.
4. Do you have any advice for juniors joining the company in terms of preparation before joining the company?
There's nothing to prepare (laughs).
When I joined the company, I realized that everyone has a job that only they can do.
Sometimes I feel frustrated when I can't carry something that the workers can carry with ease.
But it's not a job that relies on strength alone, and there's a place for everyone to excel, so there's no need to worry.
5.What do you do on your days off?
I came from Kyoto, so I still feel like a tourist (laughs).
I go sightseeing in Hakodate and visiting cafes with my colleagues and friends.
6. What do you want from your company to create a workplace where women can work and thrive?
Since it has such a long history, I wish the facilities could be made even nicer (laughs).
I definitely want my uniform to look cool!
New Ship Sales Department Staff
MH-san
Customers and people around me often tell me that I'm suited to sales, which makes me feel rewarded and motivates me to work even harder!
MH-san
New Ship Sales Department Staff
1. Please tell us about your current job and responsibilities.
I work in sales for new ships. However, I don't actually sell ships; I mainly act as a liaison between the shipowner and our company. When building a ship, there are many requests and specification changes from the shipowner. I communicate all of these within the company and provide feedback to the shipowner. Also, when building a ship, there are many things that need to be prepared by both the customer and the shipyard. There are many connections with the work of other departments, and we need to make sure that all arrangements go smoothly, so I consider it a very responsible job. I also arrange various ceremonies such as launching ceremonies and delivery ceremonies.
2. What do you find most rewarding about your work?
People often ask me, "What do you do in sales?", but as I mentioned earlier, it's quite busy. And more than anything, there's a lot of work that involves acting as intermediaries between people. But sometimes customers and people around me tell me, "You're suited to sales," and that makes my job rewarding and motivates me to work even harder!
3.What kind of experience or learning did you have at this company? Also, is there anything you would like to improve your skills in the future?
I joined the company as a mid-career hire with experience, and in my previous jobs I worked as a nursery teacher, in sales promotion, and in administration. I thought there wouldn't be any opportunities to utilize this knowledge and skills at our company, which is primarily focused on shipbuilding, but surprisingly, there are many opportunities to use them in my current job. I've realized that even different experiences are not wasted. However, since everything I do is specialized, I enjoy having new experiences every day. There are still many tasks I'm not involved in, so I would like to be able to make decisions and complete them on my own.
4. Do you have any advice for juniors joining the company in terms of preparation before joining the company?
I'm sure you're all anxious, but it's normal to not know anything at first. Don't worry, just jump in. My advice would be to have the attitude that you can enjoy anything. I hope you keep your antennae up for curiosity about both work and people.
Shortly after joining the company, I wondered, "What does an inspection involve?" and mentioned it to my boss, who then asked me if I could accompany him. I spoke to the Quality Assurance Department, and the matter progressed further. They coordinated between departments, and created a learning opportunity for me in the form of a six-month training course. This allowed me to learn about the construction process and key points of inspection, and also broadened my network of contacts. I believe that I was able to get this opportunity thanks to my "antenna of curiosity."
5.What do you do on your days off?
I go shopping with friends, look for good restaurants, and take a rest without going out. I also regularly go out for drinks with the female coworkers who joined the company around the same time as me! I recently started golfing with them, so I'm trying to improve my game a little. I also play games when I'm at home (laughs).
6. What do you want from your company to create a workplace where women can work and thrive?
I would be happy if the building where the sales department is located and the changing rooms were cleaned up. The building is a little old now (laughs).
Shipbuilding Department, Hull Section, Domestic Works Section 1
RS-san
Since working in the steelworks requires a lot of experience and intuition, I am still learning while receiving advice from my seniors, but it is a lot of fun.
RS san
Shipbuilding Department, Hull Section, Domestic Works Section 1
1. Please tell us about your current job and responsibilities.
We make the hull, which is the body of the ship, and we are in charge of a process called flexing, which involves creating complex curves in steel plates.
2. What do you find most rewarding about your work?
There is a great sense of accomplishment when it bends perfectly according to the pattern.
Since working in the steelworks requires a lot of experience and intuition, I am still learning while receiving advice from my seniors, but it is a lot of fun.
3.What kind of experience or learning did you have at this company? Also, is there anything you would like to improve your skills in the future?
I think it helped me develop perseverance and concentration. Plus, I started thinking about how to make the ball turn the way I wanted it to.
I want to improve my skills so that I can be entrusted with work independently.
4. Do you have any advice for juniors joining the company in terms of preparation before joining the company?
You should definitely come!
My seniors and coworkers are all very kind, and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I try new things and succeed, so I would recommend this job to my friends too (laughs).
5.What do you do on your days off?
I often go out with friends or go shopping.
6. What do you want from your company to create a workplace where women can work and thrive?
It would be nice if the break room was bigger (laughs).
Ship Design Department Mechanical Design Section Mechanical Design Section
TW-san
I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I complete a drawing I have made and officially submit it to the public.
TW-san
Ship Design Department Mechanical Design Section Mechanical Design Section
1. Please tell us about your current job and responsibilities.
I am in charge of designing the ship's engine room. In particular, I design the drawings for the "auxiliary engine stand" on which the various machines necessary to run the engine are installed, as well as the floor plates within the engine room. I also compile the weight of the equipment after the design is complete, and the drawings that the ship's crew will use while in operation.
2. What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I complete a drawing I have made and officially submit it to the public.
3.What kind of experience or learning did you have at this company? Also, is there anything you would like to improve your skills in the future?
At first, I was in charge of modeling 3D models as a temporary employee. After that, I was assigned to assist with design such as creating drawings, and was promoted to a full-time employee in August 2023. Every task is a new experience, and everything is a continuous learning experience. There are things I don't understand or make mistakes, but since the production site is close by, I can go and see it right away, and feedback from the site is quick, so I feel like my skills are improving rapidly. In the future, I would like to further acquire skills and be recognized as a full-fledged employee.
4. Do you have any advice for juniors joining the company in terms of preparation before joining the company?
Even if you don't have any prior experience or knowledge, as long as you are motivated, you'll be fine. The work here is fun, so I encourage you to give it a try. Everyone around me is very kind, and I love the atmosphere at work.
5.What do you do on your days off?
I spend my time shopping with my children and walking my dog, who I recently got. I also like hot springs and public baths, so I often go there. Recently, I went a little further away and went for a drive to Hanazawa Onsen in Kaminokuni. It's a very beautiful facility, so I recommend it!
6. What do you want from your company to create a workplace where women can work and thrive?
I'm grateful that it's still easy to take time off. When I asked about shortened working hours, they responded immediately, which was helpful. I like the nostalgic atmosphere of the company, so I don't really have many requests for the company. If I had to say one thing, I'd be happy if there was a snack vending machine!
Business Planning Department, Shipbuilding and Production Management Division Staff
AO-san
I find it rewarding to come up with schedules that are efficient and easy for the site to work on, and I am very happy when the process I have devised goes well.
AO-san
Business Planning Department, Shipbuilding and Production Management Section Staff
1. Please tell us about your current job and responsibilities.
I am mainly involved in managing the ship construction process, creating schedules for each process, managing and coordinating schedules, holding meetings with the on-site staff, and dealing with problems after the ship is delivered.
2. What do you find most rewarding about your work?
The schedule is not the same for every ship, and there are differences depending on the ship, so I feel it is rewarding to think of an efficient schedule that takes these factors into account and is easy for the site to work on, and I feel very happy when the process I came up with goes well. My seniors can easily tell me things they think could be done better, and they are quick to help me if I make a mistake, so it is a comfortable workplace where I can approach things with confidence and a positive attitude.
3.What kind of experience or learning did you have at this company? Also, is there anything you would like to improve your skills in the future?
Because this job involves working with many people and adjusting the situations of various departments, I think I have acquired the ability to make adjustments to make things go smoothly. In the future, I would like to gain more knowledge about shipbuilding and improve my own problem-solving skills so that I can solve the problems that people face on the job site.
4. Do you have any advice for juniors joining the company in terms of preparation before joining the company?
I feel that it is very important to have "honesty" and "two types of imagination" when working.
There may be times when you encounter people who have completely different values and opinions from you. In those cases, I think it is very important to have the "honesty" to initially accept what the other person says as it is, while at the same time having the "first imagination" to think from the other person's point of view, and the "second imagination" to consider how your words were conveyed to the other person.
5.What do you do on your days off?
I like driving, so I often go on drives. The other day, I went on a long drive with a colleague from work.
6. What do you want from your company to create a workplace where women can work and thrive?
I think it would be good if regular follow-up interviews and employee training were more thorough. Currently, there is an environment where it is easy to consult about problems, and opinions are carefully listened to, but I think I would be able to work with more peace of mind if the company came up with a policy to provide proper follow-ups in the future.
We have a comfortable working environment and systems
Maternity leave/childcare leave system
We can accommodate changes in your life stage with peace of mind. We have a system in place to support childbirth and childcare.
Advice on reduced working hours and flexible working arrangements
You can work in a way that suits your lifestyle. Feel free to discuss adjustments to your working hours.
Training and career development system
No need to worry if you have no experience. We have an environment that encourages your growth, including a training system and support for obtaining qualifications.
Learning that can only be achieved by having the site and design close to each other
The close proximity between design and the site creates an environment where practical feedback can be put to immediate use.
A workplace where you can take on challenges with peace of mind
RS-san
TW-san
E.H.
RS-san
Mr. MH
AO-san
The shipbuilding industry has a strong image of being male-dominated, but Hakodate Dock is breaking down that stereotype and working to create a workplace where everyone can thrive.
In fact, many female employees are active not only in administrative positions, but also in fields such as on-site work and design, supporting our work.
At Hakodate DockTo make the most of each individual's motivation and abilitiesFocusing on recruiting and developing human resources,Respect diversityHave a better outlook for the future, regardless of gender or experienceWe are working to create a pleasant working environment.
President
