TITP: Empowering Indian youth through skill training in Japan

“I always advise candidates to look at the big picture and experience new things in life. Japan is one of the most developed economies in the world. Indian youth must consider going to Japan to hone their skills and knowledge. Once they are back in India, they can be part of the new initiatives and projects that the Government of India is taking up. They can contribute to India’s growth story and inspire younger generations by using their skills and training from Japan”, said Ms. Sukhneet Kaur, Director of Akal Japanese Academy, while emphasising why should Indian youth consider working in Japan.

Technical interns from developing countries are offered training under the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), which aims to improve relations between countries by fostering an exchange of technical knowledge and skills. TITP is a unique opportunity for Indian youth to acquire skills, get on-the-job training, and learn the Japanese language and culture, along with the opportunity to work and live in one of the most developed and safest countries in the world.

To learn more about the role of a Sending Organization (SO) under TITP, in-demand job roles in Japan, Japanese language training, and collaboration with NSDC, among others, we conversed with Ms. Sukhneet Kaur, Director of Akal Japanese Academy.

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

Q. Please tell us about Akal Japanese Academy.

A. Akal Japanese Academy is a subsidiary of Akal Information Systems Limited (AKAL). AKAL is a well-known company in India with a 25-year presence across the country. AKAL had the opportunity to become a Sending Organisation in 2018. It was one of the few SOs that NSDChad initially selected. As a result, AKAL established the Akal Japanese Academy to focus solely on training and sending candidates to Japan under TITP.

The Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) sends candidates over the age of 18 who have finished their 10^th or 12th-grade schooling to Japan for a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years to learn a skill or to improve a skill they already have. The target age range is 18–32 years.

Q. How important is learning the Japanese language to work in Japan?

 A. People in Japan only speak Japanese. Only very few from the metropolitan cities speak English. Therefore, it is important for TITP candidates to learn and speak Japanese. As the candidates even work in the outskirts of Japan, they will not be able to communicate with people if they only know English. Before visiting Japan, the candidates must be fluent in Japanese and also understand Japanese culture.

Q. How long does it take to become proficient in the Japanese language?

A. The Japanese language has five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. Once the candidates perfect the N5 and N4 levels of the Japanese language, they have the necessary vocabulary and grammatical knowledge to speak the language. The requirement for the TITP program is only N5 level. But before we send the candidates to Japan, we at the Akal Japanese Academy advise all our candidates to at least have N4 level of proficiency.

The training for the Japanese language takes up to six months, and sometimes it extends to one year. Through training courses, we have learned that we have to be patient with the candidates as it takes time to learn the language. We also teach time management, manners, and ethics to the candidates during the training. Some candidates have taken the Japanese language up to the levels of N1, N2 and N3 as per their interest.

Q. What are the in-demand job roles in Japan?

 A. Our candidates have worked in Japan in several job roles, like welders, carpenters, and in some areas of construction like reinforcement bars, scaffolding, metal spray paint, etc. Agricultural workers, plastic moulding, and caregivers are some of the other popular job roles. As Sending Organisations (SO), we inevitably observe high demand, especially in the construction, healthcare, and machining sectors.

Q. Can the candidates continue to work in Japan after their internship of three years?

 A. Candidates can work in Japan after completing their TITP program. Candidates can apply for a Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) After three years in Japan, the candidates do not need to take the exam for SSW and can directly apply for a work visa for a minimum of five years.

The candidates willing to stay in Japan for work can do it for up to ten years, which means five years of TITP and five years of SSW. Later they can also apply for PR in Japan if their company allows them to.

Also read: TITP – Creating New Growth Opportunities for Indian Youth in Japan – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/titp-creating-new-growth-opportunities-for-indian-youth-in-japan/

Q. What is the role of a Sending Organization and how do you collaborate with NSDC?

 A. To become an SO, one must have an office or network in Japan. This is useful for conducting marketing activities.

There are three types of organisations involved in the TITP process:

1. Sending Organisation (SO): The organisation that sends the candidates to Japan
2. Supervising Organisation (SVO): The organisation with which the agreements are signed
3. Implementing Organisation (IO): The organisation where the candidates are placed

Sending Organisation (SO) cannot go directly to the Implementing Organisation (IO). Sending Organisations (SO) have to connect with Supervising Organisations (SVO), and they connect us with different Implementing Organisations (IO).

As an SO, we provide all the information to the candidates and prepare them for the interview with the necessary requirements. We also provide counselling sessions and emotional support to the candidates if they face any challenges during their stay in Japan. We reach out to the candidates every week and check if they need anything.

NSDC is informed about everything, including the signed contract, program fees, the name of the prefecture in which the candidates are placed, the name of the Supervising Organisation (SVO), and the name of the Implementing Organisation (IO). The information on candidates sent to Japan with their exact address and contact information must also be shared with NSDC. As a Sending Organisation (SO), we maintain transparency with NSDC, and it is always open to providing us with the necessary support. When candidates face challenges in Japan, we ensure that the NSDC is involved and offers assistance. NSDC closely monitors the program on a monthly basis.