[Circular Economy Project Dialogue Vol. 1] The First Step Toward a Circular Society. ASNOVA’s Vision for a Sustainable Growth Curve
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PROFESSIONAL
From inexperienced to becoming a lift operator! My dream came true with ASNOVA
In today's world, where freedom of occupational choice and diversity are on the rise, there is a demand for a work environment that makes the most of individual abilities and aspirations. Yu-an Hashigaki, who works as a lift operator at ASNOVA's Kyoto Kyotanabe Center, is one such person. She jumped into this industry with no prior experience, simply wanting to try it.
We will introduce the trajectory of her challenge over the past six months and the people at equipment center who support her.
Text: Sayaka Mitsuda
Photo: Sho Kobayashi
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PROIFILE
- Yua Hashigaki
- She works at Kyoto Kyotanabe Center of ASNOVA Co., Ltd., where he is mainly responsible for lift operation, as well as loading and unloading operations and equipment management.
After working in a warehouse as a light worker and a caregiver, she joined ASNOVA. The words "women are actively involved" gave her the motivation to join.
Q. How did you end up working as a lift operator at ASNOVA?
Hashigaki: After graduating from high school, I worked as a caregiver, and then I got a job doing light work at a logistics warehouse. At that time, there was a male staff member operating a lift, and I thought he looked really cool! I vaguely had a desire to do that, and thought, "That's cool, I want to ride a lift too. I want to drive a lift." After that, I had another chance to return to working in caregiving, but I also wanted to try driving a lift, so I took the plunge and changed jobs.
Hashigaki: I searched for keywords like "lift, light work" on a job information site and found several potential companies, but among them, ASNOVA had a picture of a woman actually riding a lift along with the words "Women Active" on it. I thought "I want to be like that!" and applied.
Q. Did you have any reservations about trying a job that you had no experience in?
Hashigaki: To be honest, I was a little confused. I knew that it was a company that dealt with scaffolding, but I didn't know much about what kind of company ASNOVA was... Riding a lift was also a job I had always wanted, but I was worried about whether I, a woman with no experience, could do it.
But I was very happy when they accepted my feelings and hired me. When I joined the company, I still didn't have a lift license, so I did the work I could do at Kyoto Kyotanabe Center and learned by watching my seniors' work. Then, when I finally got my lift license and was finally able to drive, I was very moved! The test was very difficult, with both a written and practical test, but I believed in my feelings and did my best, encouraged by the support of my seniors.
Even in the tough days, I can persevere if I have friends! Contributing in ways that only a woman can
Q: How did you get used to the job?
Hashigaki: Even though we call it scaffolding, the size and weight vary, and the number of items to be loaded varies depending on the time. I was unable to carry the equipment properly using the lift and load it, and I kept knocking over and dropping and bending the equipment, and I was depressed that I couldn't do it as I wanted. But my seniors came over immediately and asked me if I was okay, and told me not to worry, because I'll get the hang of it as I go along, which was a great relief. As I gained experience loading the equipment, I started to think, "Hmm? This is like a puzzle game, so it might be a bit fun." I was able to work by devising ways to stack the equipment neatly.
Q. Please tell us about your colleagues at Kyoto Kyotanabe Center who support you.
Hashigaki: Everyone is really kind and easy to talk to! Most of the people are older men, but I can talk to them about anything from work to my personal life. I have a competitive nature, so I thought I would never lose to a man, but now I realize that it's not like that. Instead of competing with men in the same situation, I try to find things that I can do as a woman and contribute in my own way. For example, if a man can carry 100 kg of equipment at once, I can carry 50 kg of equipment twice quickly, or I always smile to brighten up the site even when I'm busy. I think that's something I was able to achieve because ASNOVA is a company that allows me to take on challenges.
Hashigaki: If there are people out there who are struggling like me, I hope they will cherish the desire to "try, to challenge themselves" before giving up and thinking, "I can't do it because I'm a woman." It may be a little unusual for women to ride a lift these days, but I hope that by setting an example for others, it will become the norm one day.
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