The “Training Employment” System and its differences with the Technical Intern Training System
In my previous blog post, I touched on the problems with the Technical Intern Training Program.
In recent years, Japan’s foreign worker acceptance system has become more diverse, and as part of this, the “Training Employment” system has been introduced. This is attracting attention as a new approach to solving the problems of the traditional technical intern training system. In particular, how is the training employment system responding to the problem of disappearances and the demand for improvement of the working environment in the technical intern training system? This article explains the characteristics of the “training employment” system and how it differs from the traditional technical intern training system.
1.Overview of the “Training Employment” System
The “Training Employment” system is a new foreign worker acceptance system introduced in 2022, and has different objectives and mechanisms from the traditional Technical Intern Training System. The main objective of the development employment system is to support the “career development” and “growth” of foreign workers in addition to teaching them “skills.” This encourages growth from a long-term perspective, and supports the improvement of professional skills and the acquisition of specialized techniques, rather than simply having them work in Japan.
Under the training employment system, foreign workers are expected to receive “training” through employment in Japan and then utilize their skills in their home or other countries. It aims to provide more comprehensive career development beyond the framework of “skill transfer” under the traditional technical intern training system.
3.Characteristics and benefits of the training employment system
The training employment system has the following characteristics and advantages compared to the technical intern training system.
(1) Support for career development
Under the training employment system, trainees are not simply used as labor, but are supported with an emphasis on vocational skills and career development. This is expected to reduce the problems of “harsh working conditions” and “low wages” in the technical intern training system. Support provided to foreign workers so that they can use the skills they learned in Japan in the future is a great motivation for them.
(2) Improvement of working conditions
In the training employment system, the working conditions are better set. In particular, wages are paid accurately and working hours are managed thoroughly. In addition, the supervision system to prevent long working hours and unfair treatment is strengthened, so trainees are less likely to work in harsh conditions. This addresses the problems of excessive working hours and lack of holidays that were an issue in the technical intern training system.
(3) Lifestyle support and Japanese language education
Under the training employment system, it is standard practice to provide living support and Japanese language education to trainees. Learning Japanese is important for communication and safety at work, as well as for cooperation with society. By receiving Japanese language education, foreign workers will be able to understand their rights more easily and deal appropriately if trouble occurs. Regarding living support, support to prevent trouble regarding accommodation and meals has been strengthened, improving the living environment of trainees.
(4) Strengthening accepting companies and supervision systems
Under the training employment system, the responsibilities of accepting companies and supervising organizations are strengthened. Companies are required to maintain working conditions so that trainees can work in an appropriate environment. Supervising organizations are equipped with a system to monitor the treatment and living environment of trainees and respond quickly if a problem occurs. This will help improve the management system deficiencies and lack of supervision in the technical intern training system.
3.Differences from the Technical Intern Training Program
The training employment system differs in many ways from the traditional technical intern training system.
(1) Strengthening Education and Training
The Technical Intern Training Program’s main purpose is to help foreign workers acquire skills through practical work, while the Training Employment Program places emphasis on career development and emphasizes the education and training aspects. The Training Employment Program aims to provide more comprehensive support to foreign workers so that they can play an active role in their home and other countries. For this reason, it focuses not only on the acquisition of skills and knowledge, but also on improving the social adaptability and Japanese language ability of foreign workers.
(2) Improvement of working conditions
The working conditions in the Technical Intern Training Program were one of the main issues that trainees faced. Harsh working hours, low wages, and overcrowded working conditions were serious issues for many trainees. On the other hand, in the Employment Training Program, in order to solve these problems, working conditions are more clearly defined and wages and working hours are thoroughly managed. It is expected that the improvement of the working environment will have an effect in preventing trainees from disappearing and working illegally.
(3) Improving the reception system
Under the development and employment system, the responsibility of companies and supervising organizations is strengthened, and a system is in place to ensure that trainees work in an appropriate environment. Under the technical intern training system, there were cases where supervising organizations and companies did not adequately manage trainees, which encouraged disappearances and misconduct. However, under the development and employment system, strict rules and monitoring are in place to eliminate these problems.
4.Conclusion
The Training Employment System is a new system designed to address the problems of the traditional Technical Intern Training System. In particular, it provides more effective solutions to problems such as harsh working conditions, low wages, dissatisfaction with working conditions, and inadequate management systems. The Training Employment System places emphasis on career development and technical acquisition, and provides improved working conditions, life support, and Japanese language education. It is expected that this will create an environment where trainees can work and learn with peace of mind, and reduce the risk of disappearance and illegal employment.