CEPEX continues to promote its new vocational training project with a second seminar held at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville from 12-2 pm on June 21, 2024. The initiative was supported by the Consulate General of Japan in Nashville and the North American Division of Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Center for Professional Exchange (CEPEX), a 501c3 nonprofit, organized the event, “US-Japan Collaborative Vocational Training Program for All Return Issues” with support from the Arkansas State government, Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), Northwest Technical Institute (NWTI) and business communities in Japan and the US. The event’s target audience included state government, vocational training schools, Japanese companies located in the US, US retail and logistics companies, research institutes, university faculty, staff and students. The event was held in hybrid format with 25 people attending in person, 35 participating remotely, and 350 people viewed the event online.

During the event, participants discussed a common agenda for solving the growing issue of return processing in the US retail market and creation of an international public good. A key factor will be the development of the next generation of workforce in cooperation with state governments, vocational training schools, and economic organizations. The event provided an opportunity to discuss the potential to create a new framework for Japan-US collaboration with public, private and academic stakeholders.

To see the video summaries and full report online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzd1TcyNd0M

Japan-America Joint Vocational Training Program for all Returns Market (youtube.com)