Abstract During the Japanese Colonization, with the need of development and demand of technicians, industrial education started in Taiwan and had considerable achievement. In July 1912, Taiwan Governor-General’s Office set up the Industrial Training Institute, a 3-year program for carpentry, metalwork, and engineering, (the National Taipei University of Technology today) under the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Education. The Institute was the precursor of industrial education in Taiwan, and also then the only educational establishment that trained basic industrial technicians. Its teachers were all graduated from the Higher Technical School in Japan with rich practical experience. Since its founding in 1912 until its restructuration into Taipei Industrial School in 1919, it had 244 graduates, most of whom came into work force. This study looks into the founding and development of the Institute, with a view to have a better understanding of its values and signifi cance in the industrial education in modern Taiwan.