Kobe College to launch aviation training program with JAL, ANA, and seven industry partners

Kobe College has announced the official integration of an ‘Aviation Industry Human Resource Development Program’ into its formal curriculum. Developed in collaboration with seven major aviation-related companies—including Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), IHI, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Jamco, SUBARU, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries—the program will be implemented for fourth-year students in the newly established Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering starting in the 2026 academic year.

Students who complete the program will receive one credit for the course ‘Introduction to the Aircraft Industry’. The curriculum is designed to bridge theory and practical field experience, featuring lectures from industry professionals, small-group career discussions, and biannual field trips to airports, factories, and hangars. Lessons will cover aircraft design, maintenance, jet engine structures, safety quality, and human error prevention.

This initiative aims to address the projected shortage of engineers in the aviation sector, driven by growing global passenger demand and the emergence of next-generation mobility such as drones and eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft. While several technical colleges in Japan have collaborated on the program's development, Kobe College is the first to adopt it as a formal part of its academic curriculum. The organizers intend to use this implementation as a model for expansion to other technical colleges.