Digital Support Program for Young People

Background

While the digital society is advancing, a digital divide (information gap) is occurring among the young generation. According to the “Survey on the Internet Usage Environment of Young People in Fiscal 2020”, released by the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan in March 2021, internet usage rate among young people was as high as 70.1% for smartphones, but as low as 22.4% for laptops and 8.4% for desktop PCs.
The more economically disadvantaged a family is, the less likely they are to use a PC, which leads to the digital divide. For young people who do not know how to set up a PC or have never used a keyboard to create documents, the advancement of digitalization is a factor that raises the bar on employment.

Purpose

The program is designed to provide digital assistance utilizing the resources of the Ricoh Group to young people who find it difficult to work due to the information gap in a rapidly advancing digital society, and to support their participation in work.

Program Contents

This program is in collaboration with “Sodateage Net”, a certified non-profit organization that has been involved in supporting the employment of young people for many years. Sodateage Net seeks applicants for this program and Ricoh Group employees introduce workplaces that are being transformed by digital innovation. We provide skills training using digital technology that enables participants to simulate the entire process of image production projects, from order receipt to delivery, to support them secure a job.

Digital workplaces experience（online/offline）

By visiting "ViCreA", participants on the Program are able to experience the changes in work styles operated by Ricoh Japan and learn how the working environment is changing due to digital innovation. This enables young people to develop an image of functioning in the workplace.

Ricoh Group Employees talk session（online）

Encourages young people on the Program to become more confident about working and to take action after listening to Ricoh Group employees discuss their own work experiences and by communicating with employees.

Digital skill training（online）

With support from Ricoh Group employees, young people use digital technology to create the background for Teams online meetings. This not only helps them to acquire skills, but it also fosters a concrete image of self-confidence in work. Image creating involves experiencing working through a series of business simulations, such as ordering, estimating, creating, inspecting and delivering. In addition, the background situation created will be used and Ricoh Group employees will give feedback.