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Trainees getting explanation on the structure of hydraulic valves using a cross-sectional model
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The nine-month course consists of on-the-job training at each trainee’s own job site and lectures at the Komatsu Dakar Training Center (KDTC).
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In West Africa, sales have surged especially since 2006 on the back of infrastructure development in Algeria through petrodollars along with strong demand for mining equipment in other countries in the region due to development projects to source the abundance of mineral resources. The volume of machines sold in this market has tripled as of 2010. Since the region has many gold mines and gold continues to have a high market value, Komatsu has been able to conduct successful business negotiations amid a tough economic climate. Because the machines already sold have been used extensively, many of them should be due for an overhaul soon.
Shortage of Engineers as Market Expands
In Africa, where local industries are limited, it is difficult for customers to employ mechanics. As a result, the number of cases in which a service agreement is concluded deeming distributors responsible not only for repairs but also daily maintenance of equipment has been increasing.
In line with the rapid rise in the number of machines that require servicing, distributors have been bolstering mechanic staff. However, it is difficult to find top-quality mechanics or those with experience, much the same situation for respective customers. At present, approximately 60% of mechanics have less than three years of experience.
Training Quality Engineers at New Training Center
Amid such a backdrop, providing basic education to distributor mechanics was an urgent task. Komatsu commenced operations at the training center in May 2009, with BiA Overseas s.a., Komatsu’s regional distributor for West Africa.
The Komatsu Dakar Training Center (KDTC) is located within BiA. In general, six trainees are accepted per class per semester. The curriculum lasts for nine months, with three cycles of one month of lectures at KDTC and two months of on-the-job training at each trainee’s own job site.
The scope of KDTC covers French-speaking nations in Africa and educates mechanics from BiA, Algerian distributor GH-KOMATSU (Group Hasnaoui S.p.A.) and Gabon distributor SODIM-TP (Société de Distribution de Matériel de Travaux Publics). While markets for general construction equipment are strong in Algeria and Gabon, BiA’s main customers are in the mining sector.
The team of instructors include Mr. Tokio Kawashima, who is temporarily dispatched from the Osaka Training Center, Service Planning Department, Product Support Division; Mr. Joachim Bouchard and Mr. Daniel Dube, French-speaking Canadians and full-time instructors exclusively at KDTC; and employees of BiA.
On November 17, 2009, an opening ceremony was held at KDTC to coincide with the last month of lectures for first semester students. Customers from West Africa, the Japanese ambassador to Senegal, the Senegal director of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), ministers from the Senegalese government, top management from BiA and Mr. Mamoru Hironaka, then president of the Product Support Division at Komatsu Ltd., were among the 100 attendees. KDTC received significant coverage by the local media, including Senegalese television.
What left a lasting impression, however, were the smiles of the mechanics, staff and trainees attending the ceremony, which gave a strong sense of hope for the future.
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