Technical Intern Trainees Program
外国人技能実習制度とは
Technical Intern Trainees Program
The Technical Intern Training Program is a public system that accepts young workers from developing countries at Japanese companies for up to three years (up to five years under the new law). Trainees acquire Japan’s industrial technologies and skills through on-the-job training at production sites.
Companies eligible for the accepted occupations can receive trainees through supervising organizations like our cooperative. The trainees enter into an employment relationship with the host company and participate in a three-year training program to enhance their practical skills.
Overview of the Technical Intern Training Program
① Purpose and Background of the Program
The Technical Intern Training Program was established in 1993. Its purpose is to transfer Japanese industrial technology and knowledge to developing countries and contribute to their economic development. The program’s fundamental philosophy is "human resource development" based on international cooperation, rather than merely securing labor.
② Legal Framework and Evolution of the Program
The program originally started as a "training system," but was established as an independent Technical Intern Training Program following legal revisions in 2010. In 2017, the "Technical Intern Training Act" (Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees) was enacted, greatly strengthening the protection of trainees and the transparency of the system. Currently, only accredited accepting organizations that meet certain conditions are allowed to accept trainees for up to five years.
③ Stages and Content of the Technical Intern Training Program
The Technical Intern Training Program consists of three stages:
- Technical Intern Training 1st Year: Basic training and initial internship after arrival
- Technical Intern Training 2nd and 3rd Years: Acquisition of specialized skills through practical work
- Technical Intern Training 3rd Stage (4th and 5th Years): Extension possible if certain conditions are met
In addition, it is essential for trainees to learn Japanese and understand daily life rules. Therefore, the program places strong emphasis on language education and life support.
④ Roles of Supervising Organizations and Companies
To ensure proper implementation of the program, technical intern trainees are assigned to companies through supervising organizations such as cooperatives. Host companies bear many duties and responsibilities, including compliance with labor laws, creation of training plans, provision of life support, and regular reporting.
⑤ Support System of TOP Cooperative Association
TOP Cooperative Association provides comprehensive support from selecting candidates based on company needs, immigration procedures, and life support, to regular supervision after placement. This ensures a safe and secure acceptance environment for both companies and trainees, supporting the program’s core goals of international cooperation and human resource development.
Benefits of Accepting Technical Intern Trainees
- Candidates who have passed strict screening criteria, including document review, medical examination, and interviews at the local sending organization
- Trainees are highly dedicated and motivated individuals eager to learn and improve their skills.
- Leads to increased competitiveness and motivation among Japanese employees
- Trainees are young adults aged 18 and over, contributing to revitalizing the workplace within the host company
Process for Acceptance
Number of Accepted Trainees
Number of Trainees Acceptable per Year
Main Approval Criteria for Technical Intern Training Plans
① The skills to be acquired must be those that are difficult to acquire in the technical intern trainee’s home country.
② Goals of the Technical Intern Training
- (Goal for the 1st stage) Passing the practical and written exams of the Basic Level Skill Test or the equivalent Technical Intern Training Evaluation Test, etc.
- (Goal for the 2nd stage) Passing the practical exam of the Skill Test Level 3 or the equivalent Technical Intern Training Evaluation Test.
- (Goal for the 3rd stage) Passing the practical exam of the Skill Test Level 2 or the equivalent Technical Intern Training Evaluation Test.
③ Content of the Technical Intern Training
- The skills cannot be acquired solely by repetitive performance of the same work.
- The 2nd and 3rd stages must relate to the transition-targeted occupations and tasks (occupations and tasks listed in the relevant ministerial ordinance).
- The work must be normally conducted at the business establishment where the training takes place.
- For transition-targeted occupations and tasks, more than half of the total work hours must be dedicated to essential work, related work should be no more than half of the total hours, and peripheral work no more than one-third of total hours.
- The trainee must have experience abroad in work similar to that which they intend to engage in Japan, or there must be special reasons requiring the training (applicable only to the supervising organization type).
- It is planned that after returning to their home country, the trainee will engage in work requiring the skills acquired in Japan.
- For 3rd stage trainees, they must have returned to their home country for at least one month after completing the 2nd stage.
- Neither the trainee nor their family is subjected to collection of deposits or penalties for contract breaches (this must be clarified by a document created by the trainee themselves).
- 1st stage trainees must receive post-arrival training in subjects such as Japanese language, immigration, and labor-related laws.
- In cases involving multiple occupations, all must be transition-targeted occupations, mutually related, and reasonably performed together.
④ Training period (1 year or less for the 1st stage, 2 years or less for the 2nd and 3rd stages)
⑤ The goals set at the previous stage training (1st stage for 2nd stage, 2nd stage for 3rd stage) have been achieved
⑥ Proper evaluation of skills, etc. (conducting evaluations such as skill tests and Technical Intern Training Evaluation Tests)
⑦ Appropriate system, facility equipment at business establishments, and appointment of responsible persons
- Each business establishment must appoint the following: a “Technical Intern Training Supervisor” responsible for overseeing the implementation of the training, who is a full-time officer or staff member qualified by completing the supervisor training within the past 3 years (until March 31, 2020, this training requirement was exempted as a transitional measure).
- A “Technical Intern Training Instructor” responsible for instructing trainees, who is a full-time officer or staff member with over 5 years of experience in the skills to be acquired.
- A “Living Guidance Officer” responsible for guiding the daily life of the trainees, who is a full-time officer or staff member.
- The applicant must not have committed human rights violations or used forged/altered documents within the past 5 years.
- Necessary machinery, tools, and other equipment required for acquiring skills must be provided.
⑧ Receiving training supervision from an authorized supervising organization for the supervising organization-type technical intern training
⑨ Ensuring proper treatment for technical intern trainees, such as equal remuneration with Japanese workers
- Remuneration must be equal to or greater than that of Japanese workers (applicants must attach documents explaining this and provide explanations).
- Appropriate accommodation and measures to allow concentration on post-arrival training must be ensured.
- Regarding any costs that trainees regularly bear, such as food and housing fees, there must be proper agreement with the trainees on reasonable amounts (cost items and amounts must be included in the training plan, with documents attached proving trainee understanding and the appropriateness of amounts).
⑩ Compliance with excellent practice requirements for 3rd stage technical intern trainees
⑪ Not exceeding the upper limit of the number of accepted technical intern trainees
- (Goal for the 1st stage) Passing the practical and written exams of the Basic Level Skill Test or the equivalent Technical Intern Training Evaluation Test, etc.
- (Goal for the 2nd stage) Passing the practical exam of the Skill Test Level 3 or the equivalent Technical Intern Training Evaluation Test.
- (Goal for the 3rd stage) Passing the practical exam of the Skill Test Level 2 or the equivalent Technical Intern Training Evaluation Test.
- The skills cannot be acquired solely by repetitive performance of the same work.
- The 2nd and 3rd stages must relate to the transition-targeted occupations and tasks (occupations and tasks listed in the relevant ministerial ordinance).
- The work must be normally conducted at the business establishment where the training takes place.
- For transition-targeted occupations and tasks, more than half of the total work hours must be dedicated to essential work, related work should be no more than half of the total hours, and peripheral work no more than one-third of total hours.
- The trainee must have experience abroad in work similar to that which they intend to engage in Japan, or there must be special reasons requiring the training (applicable only to the supervising organization type).
- It is planned that after returning to their home country, the trainee will engage in work requiring the skills acquired in Japan.
- For 3rd stage trainees, they must have returned to their home country for at least one month after completing the 2nd stage.
- Neither the trainee nor their family is subjected to collection of deposits or penalties for contract breaches (this must be clarified by a document created by the trainee themselves).
- 1st stage trainees must receive post-arrival training in subjects such as Japanese language, immigration, and labor-related laws.
- In cases involving multiple occupations, all must be transition-targeted occupations, mutually related, and reasonably performed together.
- Each business establishment must appoint the following: a “Technical Intern Training Supervisor” responsible for overseeing the implementation of the training, who is a full-time officer or staff member qualified by completing the supervisor training within the past 3 years (until March 31, 2020, this training requirement was exempted as a transitional measure).
- A “Technical Intern Training Instructor” responsible for instructing trainees, who is a full-time officer or staff member with over 5 years of experience in the skills to be acquired.
- A “Living Guidance Officer” responsible for guiding the daily life of the trainees, who is a full-time officer or staff member.
- The applicant must not have committed human rights violations or used forged/altered documents within the past 5 years.
- Necessary machinery, tools, and other equipment required for acquiring skills must be provided.
- Remuneration must be equal to or greater than that of Japanese workers (applicants must attach documents explaining this and provide explanations).
- Appropriate accommodation and measures to allow concentration on post-arrival training must be ensured.
- Regarding any costs that trainees regularly bear, such as food and housing fees, there must be proper agreement with the trainees on reasonable amounts (cost items and amounts must be included in the training plan, with documents attached proving trainee understanding and the appropriateness of amounts).
For companies considering the acceptance of Technical Interns or Specified Skilled Workers
[Business Hours] 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Access
About a 10-minute walk from Momoyamacho-Higashi bus stop
5502 Ōaza-Ōkusa, Komaki-shi, Aichi 485-0802, Japan