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幹部候補生
kanbu kōhosei
future executive
彼女は新入社員の中から幹部候補生に選ばれた。
She was selected as a future executive from among the new employees.
Business
Business
An employee identified as having high potential to become a senior manager or executive in the future.
当社では毎年、幹部候補生を対象とした研修プログラムを実施しています。
Every year, our company runs a training program for future executives.
Often abbreviated as 幹候 (kan-kō) in corporate contexts.
Pro Tip
Corporate Culture Context
幹部候補生 implies a formal, long-term commitment to grooming the individual for leadership. Avoid using it casually for short-term high-potential employees.
Word Origin
Composed of 幹部 (manager/executive) + 候補生 (candidate/trainee). The term emerged in Japanese corporate culture during the high-growth era (1960s–1980s) to formalize talent development pipelines.
Usage Notes
Primarily used in corporate settings to describe employees in structured leadership development programs. Less common in small businesses or non-corporate contexts.
Word Breakdown
幹部
manager or executive (kanbu)
noun候補生
candidate or trainee (kōhosei)
noun和英辞典