Launch of the “Professional KOUKANSHI”
Certification Program
Redefining the Value of the
 “Neo Blue-Collar Worker” in the Age of AI

Koukandekirukun Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Masaru Kurihara; hereinafter “the Company”) has launched the “Professional KOUKANSHI” certification program, based on its own proprietary evaluation standards.

The Koukandekirukun Group currently has more than 250 Koukanshi installers nationwide. Residential equipment replacement requires expertise across multiple technical fields, including plumbing, electrical work, and gas systems, as well as the ability to make optimal judgments in diverse residential environments unique to each customer. For these reasons, it is a profession that cannot be replaced by AI. Because this work directly engages with customers’ daily lives, trust built on-site is closely tied to performance and results.

In recent years, skilled professionals who combine technical expertise, customer service quality, and sound judgment have been gaining attention as a “new blue-collar” archetype, often referred to as the Neo Blue-Collar Worker.
The newly launched certification program is designed to properly recognize the value created in the field and to provide a structure in which professional growth is directly reflected in compensation.

■Overview of the Certification Program
Under this program, annual evaluations are conducted once a year based on customer feedback surveys and a comprehensive assessment covering 12 criteria, including technical skills, quality of customer interaction, and responsible workmanship.
Based on the evaluation results, Koukanshi installers are certified at one of three levels. Certification levels are directly linked to higher per-project fees and daily compensation, ensuring that skill development leads transparently and reliably to increased earnings.

■Voices from the Field
“Since the introduction of the Professional Koukanshi certification program, I feel that customer feedback and our daily work attitude are now being evaluated fairly and accurately. Our job is not simply to replace equipment; it is a responsibility to protect the safety and comfort of each household. Moments when customers tell us, ‘I’m glad I chose you,’ are the greatest source of motivation. Going forward, I hope to serve as a role model, support the growth of junior colleagues, and contribute to creating an environment where craftsmen can work with pride.”

■ Integration with the Residential Equipment Replacement Skills Academy
To strengthen recruitment of individuals with no prior experience,  we opened the Residential Equipment Replacement Skills Academy in November 2024. The academy provides an environment where trainees can acquire fundamental technical skills while receiving a salary.
A clear career path is in place in which evaluation and compensation increase with experience. Among Koukanshi installers who demonstrate outstanding technical ability and customer service quality, some have achieved annual incomes exceeding ¥10 million.