Saitama-Based Local General Contractor Launches In-House University 'YAGI Build Academy' – Turning Junior Talent Development Vision into Reality

President Masayuki Yagi giving a speech at the opening ceremony (July 9, 2026)

Amid growing labor shortages in the construction industry, Yagi Kensetsu Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Honjo City, Saitama Prefecture), founded in 1955, held the opening ceremony and first lecture of its in-house university 'YAGI Build Academy' on July 9, 2026—announced last December.

Three young employees, including two new hires, began attending the program, launching a 24-lecture, 72-hour annual training curriculum. The lecture hours have been expanded from the initially planned 56 to 72 hours per year, enhancing the practicality of the educational system.

Last year’s announcement received widespread media coverage, and the company gained attention at school recruitment events for making its training system visible. This release announces that the previously conceptualized in-house university has officially opened as scheduled, with actual education now underway.

▍Ensuring Learning Time at Work—Because Industry Challenges Demand It

Lecture scene (participants and lecturer, Executive Officer Kumiko Yagi)

Due to work-style reforms, the construction industry faces increasing difficulty in allocating sufficient on-site mentoring time for junior staff.

At the same time, our company continues to receive numerous requests from local clients, though we currently prioritize orders that match our construction capacity.

To remain a construction company valued by the community, we believe it is essential to steadily develop each technician while building a workplace where employees can work with confidence and long-term commitment. Therefore, Yagi Kensetsu has launched an in-house university that enables systematic learning during working hours.

▍Enhanced from Initial Plan—Expanded to 72 Annual Hours

Lecture scene (participants and lecturer, President Masayuki Yagi)

Originally announced in December 2025 with a plan of 24 lectures and 56 hours annually, repeated curriculum development and material refinement led to extending each lecture from 140 minutes to 3 hours.

As a result, total annual learning time reached approximately 72 hours—about 1.3 times the initial plan. Lectures are held twice a month during working hours, with instructors including the Chairman, President, Executive Officers, Department Managers, and Section Chiefs.

The program goes beyond classroom learning by incorporating on-site training, and every lecture clearly defines 'why this topic matters.' The company also aims to create a system where graduates of the program eventually become instructors themselves, passing knowledge and experience to the next generation.

▍First Lecture: Learning Company Philosophy and Communication

Participants and lecturer of the first lecture

The first lecture, including the opening ceremony, lasted approximately three hours. The first half featured Executive Officer Kumiko Yagi lecturing on internal and external communication, while the second half included President Masayuki Yagi explaining the company’s management philosophy and strategic direction, followed by a short quiz to assess understanding.

A new employee said, 'I’m looking forward to lectures on groundbreaking ceremonies and how to avoid and prevent issues.' A third-year employee reflected, 'This lecture gave me a chance to reconsider how I interact with clients.'

▍Future Outlook

Employees participating in a site observation training (May 2026)

Starting July 23, the company will sequentially conduct classroom and practical training on architectural surveying. In October, a special lecture for all employees with external instructors is also scheduled. Additionally, at school recruitment events, the company now introduces the academy’s curriculum to help students visualize their career growth after joining.

Though the YAGI Build Academy began with just three young employees, the company aims to foster a corporate culture of continuous learning and become a trusted construction partner in the local community.

▍Comment from Masayuki Yagi, President & CEO, Yagi Kensetsu Co., Ltd.

'We’ve been refining this concept since last autumn, revising the curriculum multiple times before finally launching. We chose the in-house university format because we want to create a space where employees actively learn and grow—not just passively receive instruction. Our goal is to become a company where every employee feels personal growth and wants to work long-term.'

▶note (4th-generation local general contractor president): https://note.com/masayuki4891

・In 2026, we will launch our in-house university!

・All employees to train at our highest-revenue construction site

▍Overview of YAGI Build Academy

'An in-house university to train professionals in non-residential wooden construction'

The YAGI Build Academy is an in-house university designed to help young employees systematically acquire knowledge and practical skills during working hours. Participants study construction management, communication, safety management, and other on-site essentials over a basic three-year cycle.

＜Key Features＞

- 24 annual lectures, approximately 72 hours, held twice a month (during working hours)

- Lecturers include Chairman, President, Executive Officers, Department Managers, and Section Chiefs

- Practical curriculum combining classroom learning and on-site training

- Lecture design that clearly explains 'why this topic matters'

- Future goal: Graduates become instructors, passing knowledge to the next generation

School recruitment brochure (December 2025 edition) showing 3-year growth steps and the three key competencies developed (from brochure)

▼ Download the 'YAGI Build Academy' brochure (PDF) here

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▍Company Overview

Company Name: Yagi Kensetsu Co., Ltd.

Address: 2-6-20 Chuo, Honjo City, Saitama Prefecture

Founded: March 1955

Representative: Masayuki Yagi (Yagi Masayuki)

Business: Comprehensive construction services

▶ Official Website: https://www.yagi-con.co.jp

▶ X: https://x.com/yagikensetsu

▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yagikensetsu/

▶ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyHUAHoZtP_I6OtsvfFcK1Q