Opportunities for Indian Youth under Indo-Japan Technical Intern Training Program (TITP)

“TITP is a huge opportunity for the Indian youth and that is why we want to provide employment opportunities to as many Indian youth as possible in Japan. The youth can also start their own firms in India once they are back from Japan,” says Mr. Gaurav Malhotra, Business Head, India – ARMS Incorporation, while talking about how TITP is creating opportunities with meaningful employment for Indian youth in Japan.

A Sending Organization (SO) from India can train and send young people to Japan for a variety of job roles under the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP). To learn more about the TITP program, the role of a Sending Organization, the importance of learning the Japanese language and several opportunities in various industry sectors in Japan, we spoke to Mr. Gaurav Malhotra, Business Head, India – ARMS Incorporation.

Here are the excerpts from our conversation; you can watch the full video interview on our YouTube channel.

Q: What is the role of a Sending Organization (SO) under TITP? 

A: The Sending Organization (SO) is primarily responsible for sending suitable candidates to Japan as interns. There are three main organizations under TITP –

1.     Sending Organization (SO) – SOs in India mobilizes the candidates, trains and sends them to Japan for employment
2.     Supervising Organization (SVO) – SVOs are from Japan, who directly interact with companies/ Implementing Organizations in Japan
3.     Implementing Organizations (IO) – IOs are the companies in Japan that hire candidates

ARMS Incorporation is one of the Japan-based group companies. We primarily work in the Japanese skill sector, where we operate our language schools and participate in government initiatives like new hire orientation. We have our own Supervising Organization (SVO) and we began as a Sending Organization (SO) in India in 2018.

Being a Japan-based company, as a Sending Organization (SO) it is our responsibility to mobilize and train the students who can easily adapt to the Japanese culture and learn the Japanese language and place them in Japan.

Japanese Language Training 

The Japanese language is one of the most difficult languages to learn. The Japanese language has 5 levels: N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1. For TITP, there are two levels in the curriculum in which we train the candidates for all the job sectors. We provide a curriculum of six months in which two levels (N4 and N5) of Japanese language training are covered. At our training centres, we provide full-time training and run offline classes for about 8 to 9 hours per day. In the training program, students learn the Japanese language, culture and ethics, and communication skills. The total duration of the training is 6 to 7 months.

In-Demand Industry Sectors in Japan 

There is more demand in the mechanical sector, which includes metal painting, welding, machine operators, machine presses, etc. Apart from these, some of the in-demand job roles are in industrial packaging, electrical, construction, and healthcare. These are the industry sectors we are involved in through training and placing the candidates in Japan.

Q: What are the activities taken up by ARMS Incorporation under TITP?

A: We provide counselling on the TITP program for candidates who are from a polytechnic, diploma, or ITI institutions. We explain to the students how the program works, what job roles are available, and how they can apply and intern in Japan. As a Sending Organization (SO), we and the candidates have to follow a set of rules and regulations as Japan strictly respects time and punctuality. After the counselling, the candidates take the screening test, and after clearing the screening test, the Japanese language training starts. Once the candidate is sufficiently trained in the Japanese language, we arrange interviews for the candidates with Japanese companies.

After the candidates are selected and go through training, the process of documentation is followed for the candidate’s visa, this takes up to 2–3 months. The total program process takes up to 7-8 months for each candidate to go to Japan.

Q: How is the collaboration with NSDC under TITP? 

A: Since 2017, NSDC has been assisting us in many areas as the supervising and monitoring agency for the TITP program. For instance, we may contact NSDC directly whenever we face any issue related to candidates, like visa approval under the TITP program, and they would support us in every way possible.

Q: Please tell us about the positive impact of the TITP program on the candidates.

A: The most significant impact is the placement of Indian youth in a developed country like Japan. The candidates get the chance to learn Japanese culture and language too, which opens up several opportunities for them. There are opportunities for the candidates even if they want to return to India, as many companies need Japanese language experts with work experience in Japan.