Cultivating Young Carpenters for Future Homes: A "Learn x Work" Corporate Training School

Established 40 Years Ago, Producing 966 Construction Skilled Workers: The "Polus Construction Technical Training School"

Polus Group (Headquarters: Koshigaya City, Representative: Koji Nakauchi) has been establishing and operating the "Polus Construction Technical Training School" since 1987 to train carpenters and craftspeople within the company, supporting the creation of safe and secure homes. Through a full boarding system and a clear career path, we systematically educate young individuals in carpentry and interior finishing skills, achieving significant results in securing and steadily developing young talent.

Purpose of Establishing the Training School

The primary objective in launching the training school was to achieve the ultimate form of "employees performing construction" as a means to improve the quality of our own products (housing). To support our group's strength in integrated construction and continue providing high-quality homes, the existence of "company carpenters" with advanced skills and broad knowledge is indispensable. Towards realizing this ideal, we opened our corporate training school in 1987, and in 1998, it was established as a vocational training corporation certified by the Governor of Saitama Prefecture. We have continued this endeavor steadily for 40 years without interruption. To date, we have produced 966 graduates who are active on the front lines of construction sites within the group.

Challenges in the Construction Industry

Amidst the serious issues of an aging workforce and labor shortages in the construction industry, one of the contributing factors is the limitation of the traditional apprenticeship system. In the apprenticeship system, the master bears a heavy burden to teach the apprentice, but due to the decrease in housing starts and the widespread use of pre-cut materials processed in factories, masters can no longer earn enough to support apprentices. Furthermore, in some cases, the teaching becomes one-sided due to the master's efforts, leaving a harsh relationship that is difficult for today's youth to accept.

Unique "Learn x Work" Educational System At our training school, under the guiding principle of "Learn x Work," we operate two departments: the "Building Construction Department - Wooden Architecture Course" (hereinafter referred to as the "Architecture Course") and the "Building Interior Department - Interior Services Course" (hereinafter referred to as the "Interior Course").

Comprehensive Support System Trainees are hired as employees and receive the same fixed salary as new high school graduates while they learn. The company covers the costs of lessons and instruction (materials and loaned items) (trainees are responsible for their own tools, textbooks, and dormitory fees).

Practical Curriculum In the regular course, students thoroughly learn theoretical knowledge (1 year, 1400 hours) and practical skills. [See attached PDF for details]

Promoting Women's Advancement We are training female skilled workers. To date, we have produced 7 graduates from the Architecture Course and 49 from the Interior Course. For fiscal year 2026, we are training 2 students in the Architecture Course and 3 in the Interior Course. In fiscal year 2025, one person represented Saitama Prefecture in the National Skills Olympics. We are improving issues such as weight restrictions and temporary toilets to create a work environment where women can work comfortably.

Character Building Through Full Boarding Through one year of communal living in a full boarding system, trainees develop safety awareness through regular lifestyle habits, as well as communication skills and physical strength essential for on-site work.

Scenes from practical training building

Scenes from theoretical lessons

Post-Graduation: Continuous Skill Development as Company Carpenters Through Our Unique Step-Up System After one year of basic training and practical experience at the training school, graduates become company carpenters at Polus Housing and play a role in home building at the Polus Group's production sites. We support continuous growth through our unique step-up system.

◆ Phased Skill Acquisition We have a curriculum that allows individuals to become fully-fledged company carpenters in as little as approximately six years by progressing through stages such as framer (responsible for the structural frame up to the roof sheathing, focusing on topping out, and hardware installation), setter (responsible for window and door installation and exterior finishing up to the point where exterior work can commence), and interior finishing apprentice. Depending on their aspirations, we also support career paths to become independent sole proprietors (Housing Takumi Association).

◆ Cultivating Multi-Skilled Workers The Interior Services Course trains multi-skilled workers who possess multiple skills, such as interior finishing (wallpaper, etc.) and electrical work.

◆ Enhancing Motivation We strongly support the acquisition of public qualifications such as "Second-Class Carpenter" and "Class 2 Electrician," which clarifies goals at each step and contributes to increased employee motivation. As they are officially employed, they can also expand their careers into site supervision, design, or the pre-cut division. Encouraging qualification acquisition, in particular, leads to a sense of responsibility for work alongside the acquisition of knowledge and skills, ensuring thoroughness and preventing shortcuts even in areas that will not be visible after completion.

For a certain period before moving to the next step, they work as "apprentices" and receive direct instruction from training school instructors while working together on-site. If they are recognized as having the skill and ability to clear several evaluation items during this period, they will graduate from apprenticeship and proceed to the next step. Ultimately, they become carpenters, specifically joinery carpenters, responsible for all aspects of interior finishing.

Training Outcomes and High External Recognition <Various Awards> ● National Skills Olympics National Competition Awardees: 48 people (2 Gold, 10 Silver, 7 Bronze, 28 Encouragement Awards, 1 Fifth Place)

● National Skills Grand Prix National Competition Awardees: 20 people (5 Silver, 3 Bronze, 12 Encouragement Awards)

● Construction Masters: 3 people

● Junior Construction Masters: 10 people

● Excellent Skilled Workers of "Sainokuni": 6 people (including 3 instructors)

● Excellent Framer Award: 3 people

<Qualification Achievements> ● CCUS Construction Carpenter Level 4: 39 people (including 4 instructors)

● Class 1 Construction Carpenter Skills: 67 people (including 6 instructors)

In addition, we actively support employees' self-improvement through qualification acquisition, and we have numerous qualified individuals. Main qualifications obtained: Construction Carpenter (1st Class: 54, 2nd Class: 175), Frame Wall Construction Technician: 10, Wallpaper Technician: 16, Class 1 Electrician: 4, Class 2 Electrician: 83, Class 1 Architect: 1, Class 2 Architect: 11, Class 1 Construction Management Engineer: 1, Class 2 Construction Management Engineer: 8 (As of June 16, 2026).

Furthermore, we have received attention from various quarters, including winning the 2014 Good Design Award. In 2016, we renovated the training school facilities and created a facility where students can learn while feeling the texture and warmth of wood, serving as a model for large-scale wooden buildings using our original proprietary technology.

Polus Construction Technical Training School will continue to contribute to the Japanese industry and local communities by fostering young carpenters and craftspeople who will lead the future construction industry.