Flow and Outline of the Program

After completing the Pre-Entry and Post-Entry Trainings, technical interns are assigned to their host company and start training. They begin with the basics and then move gradually into advanced skills and techniques. The maximum training period is 5 years. The type of resident status differs depending on the stage (the length of training period).

IM Japan has signed agreements with the governments of Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka concerning the dispatch and acceptance of foreign technical interns. Based on this agreement, each country will make preparations before the entry of technical interns into Japan.

For details, see theScreening and Training

Recruiting

The governments mentioned above recruit applicants for the technical intern training and narrows down candidates. However, final selection of technical interns will be made by the local representative of IM Japan and the host company. Instead of having an interview in the technical intern's home country, the host company can set up an online interview from Japan.

Pre-Entry Training (4 months or more)

Technical intern candidates need to take the Pre-Entry Training (4 months or more) at the vocational training facility designated by the government of the sending country (there are special curricula for the occupations of nursing care and construction). In this training, they learn about Japanese language and culture. IM Japan provides support for this training by dispatching Japanese language teachers to sending countries.

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After arriving in Japan, technical interns need to take the Post-Entry Training (about one month) at IM Japan's Training Center or other facility. In addition to learning the Japanese language, they will also study about Japanese lifestyle and rules, and get well familiar with information on safety and hygiene, such as disaster drills and cleanup procedure.　Depending on the type of work that a technical intern will perform at the host company, special training is available during the Post-Entry Training. IM Japan recommends and supports the acquisition of qualifications for the slinging work, and the operation of machinery such as a forklift and a crane.

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Technical interns will be engaged in the technical intern training at the host company for up to 5 years. The resident status for the first year is called Technical Intern Training No. 1, and the resident status for the second and third years is called Technical Intern Training No. 2.

Technical intern training for the first year (about 11 months)

After completing the Post-Entry Training, each of the technical interns is assigned to a host company and learns the industry-related skills and knowledge while working at that company. The resident status for the first year is Technical Intern Training No. 1, which aims to allow technical interns to acquire basic skills.

From the start of the first year until the end of the technical intern training, Japan's labor law will apply to the technical interns to protect their rights as workers.

Technical intern training for the second and third years

When technical interns have passed the required Skills Proficiency Test by the end of the first year of the technical intern training and it has been proved that their skills have reached a certain level, they will obtain the resident status called Technical Intern Training No. 2 and can continue the training for two more years.

Technical interns who have completed the technical intern training under the resident status of Technical Intern Training No. 2 can finish off the training and return to their home country. Alternatively, if the following conditions are met, they can move to the resident status of Technical Intern Training No. 3 and continue the training for another two years.

• The technical intern must pass the required Skills Proficiency Test.
• The supervising organization and the host company with which the technical intern is associated must be certified as Excellent.
• The job type (occupation) of the technical intern must be the one that is allowed to continue the training.
• The technical intern must return to his/her home country temporarily and stay there at least for one month, and then re-enter Japan.

If these conditions are met, the resident status of Technical Intern Training No. 3 will be granted to the technical intern. In the final year (5th year), all technical interns will take the Skills Proficiency Test Level 2 or a certification test of the same level.

• Note: Depending on the type of occupation of the technical intern, the resident status of Technical Intern Training No. 3 will not be granted. Please contact the local branch office of IM Japan for details.

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The technical interns who have returned to their home country after completing the training are employed by Japanese companies or local companies, or some of them start their own businesses. Many of them are utilizing the skills and knowledge obtained in Japan to contribute to the economic development of their home country.