Bridging the Gap: Sustainable Collaboration between CG Production and Educational Institutions

One of the major challenges that new employees in Japan's CG entertainment industry faces is the skill gap between the industry and academia. Recognizing the urgent need for an effective approach to bridge this gap, this study with a new initiative with Nihon Kogakuin College, proposes and implements an innovative educational model, drawing analogies from the "Melting Pot" and the "Salad Bowl." The "Salad Bowl" model honors the uniqueness and needs of both participating companies and students, emphasizing the preservation of diversity. Through its implementation, it has been elucidated that this new educational approach brings about an improvement in student skills and high satisfaction levels, paving the way for success in future workplace environments through real-world industry experience. Additionally, it has been effective in resolving recruitment challenges of smaller studios, overcoming faculty shortages, providing a concrete evaluation of soft skills, and creating employment opportunities tailored to each company. These investigative outcomes underscore the significance and effectiveness of establishing a sustainable collaboration between industry and academia, realizing the provision of education programs that cater to the diverse industrial demands of Japan.