10 differences between Specified Skills and Technical Intern Training. Know the pros and cons before making your decision.

Hello, this is Kano from JAC (Japan Association for Construction Human Resources).

When thinking about accepting foreign workers, the terms "Specified Skills" and "technical intern training" come to mind.
The two are sometimes confused, but they are completely different things.

There are many differences between Specified Skills and technical training programs, such as their respective purposes and required skill levels.

This time we will compare the differences between Specified Skills and technical training.
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each system will help you decide which one to use.

Explaining 10 differences between Specified Skills and technical intern training! Comparison points of the systems

Specified Skills and technical intern training are each one of several residence statuses available for foreigners.

It is easy to confuse Specified Skills and technical training, but because their content and purposes are significantly different, care must be taken when accepting them.
Here we will introduce 10 of the most common differences between Specified Skills and technical training.

①Purpose

Although Specified Skills program and technical training program are similar in that they involve "accepting foreigners in a company," the purpose of the acceptance is different.

Specified Skills system is a system designed to make up for Japan's labor shortage.
The technical intern training program is a system for international contribution, in which trainees are asked to take the skills they have acquired in Japan back to their home countries and spread them.

② Work content

While Specified Skills holders can engage in work that includes simple labor, technical intern trainees cannot perform simple labor.

Specified Skills system is a system to alleviate Japan's labor shortage, so it allows people to do jobs including simple labor that does not require specialized knowledge.
On the other hand, technical intern trainees are there to learn highly specialized work, so they cannot be asked to do simple labor.

However, it is important to note that Specified Skills holders can also engage in work that "includes" simple labor, and are not required to engage only in simple labor.

③ Occupation

The types of jobs accepted for Specified Skills and technical training are different.

There are 16 occupations that can accept Specified Skills Specified Skilled Worker (i) and 11 occupations that can accept Specified Skilled Worker (ii).
There are 90 types of technical training jobs.
*As of May 2024

④ Skill level

The required skill levels for Specified Skills and technical training are different.

For both types Specified Skills (1 and 2), the condition is that you have a certain level of knowledge in the field in which you will be working.
In contrast, technical internships do not require the acquisition of specific skills before entering the country.

⑤Exam

To be eligible for Specified Skills certification, you must pass the "The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam" and the "Japanese Language Proficiency Test."

The purpose of Specified Skills is to enable foreign nationals to become "immediate assets" to alleviate Japan's labor shortage, so only those who have reached a certain level can become specified skilled workers.

For technical internships, only the nursing profession requires a Japanese Language Proficiency Test level of N4, but there are no specific exams for other professions.

⑥Work style

Since Specified Skills are "employment", you can change jobs as long as the occupation is the same.

On the other hand, technical training is just "training" and not employment, so the concept of changing jobs does not apply and in principle you cannot change jobs.

⑦ Period of stay

The period of stay for Specified Skills is a total of five years for Specified Skilled Worker (i), and there is no limit for Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

The period of technical training is limited: Type 1 is up to one year, Type 2 is up to two years, and Type 3 is up to two years (maximum five years in total).

⑧ Accompanying family members

Only Specified Skilled Worker (ii) are allowed to bring their family members (spouse, children) along if they meet the requirements.

⑨Number of accepted students

Regarding Specified Skills, there is a provision that "the total number of (Specified Skilled Worker (i) and) foreign construction workers shall not exceed the number of full-time employees."

As long as it is within the above restrictions, there is basically no limit to the number of people each company can accept, as this is a system to "make up for labor shortages."
However, in the construction industry, quotas are set on a company-by-company basis, and in the nursing care industry, quotas are set on a business-by-business basis.

Since the emphasis of technical internship training is on having trainees acquire skills, the number of participants needs to be limited so that proper instruction can be provided.
Therefore, there is a quota for the number of technical intern trainees depending on the size of the company and the number of employees.

Please also see here for information on the number of people accepted with Specified Skills.
What is the quota for the number of specified skilled workers can be accepted? Are there limits on the number of people in the construction industry?

⑩ Related organizations

Since Specified Skills visa is an "employment relationship" between the company and specified skilled workers, the visa is basically completed between the two parties. (There may be cases where a registered support organization that provides support for life in Japan is involved.)

In the case of technical intern training, there are many organizations and parties involved between companies and trainees, such as supervising organizations, the Technical Intern Training Organization, and sending agencies.

What to consider about the difference between Specified Skills and technical intern training

While Specified Skills can provide immediately employable people to make up for labor shortages, they also require high levels of skills and Japanese language proficiency, meaning the number of applicants tends to be small to begin with.

However, the appeal of Specified Skills category 2 visa is that there is no limit to the period of stay and family members are allowed to accompany the worker, allowing them to become firmly established in Japan and work.

There is also the possibility of taking advantage of overseas knowledge and cultural differences to expand business globally.

In the case of technical training, since there are no exams etc., the number of participants is large and it is easy to attract people.

Since they are not skilled in any particular skill, it may be a little difficult to teach them in Japanese, but you can expect the adaptability and ability to absorb that only beginners can have.

It also attracts young people because no experience is required and family members are not allowed.

Technical intern training can be transferred to Specified Skills. How can this be done?

Understand the difference between registered support organizations and supervisory organizations

There are related organizations for Specified Skills and technical training, and this is also an area where confusion can easily occur.

A registered support organization is a support organization under Specified Skills System.
It is an organization that supports all aspects of life in Japan for specified skilled workers, from daily living to work, and is open to private companies as well.

Since support work is merely outsourced, there is no need to use a registered support organization if the support work is carried out within a company that employs specified skilled workers.

A supervisory organization is an organization whose purpose is to "supervise the companies where trainees work," including making sure that the training is being carried out appropriately.
The supervisory organization is run by a cooperative, a non-profit organization, and private companies are not allowed to participate.

In addition, the supervising organization will audit the training period at least once every three months and provide guidance if necessary.

Summary: There are many differences between Specified Skills and technical intern training, but there are cases where transfer is possible

In the public's mind, "Specified Skills" and "technical intern training" tend to be lumped together.
However, the objectives and contents of the systems differ in many ways, and the two are completely separate entities.

The purpose of Specified Skills is to enable people to become immediately effective in resolving Japan's labor shortage.
Therefore, they are required to meet a certain level of skill in a specific industrial field and also have a certain level of Japanese language proficiency.

On the other hand, technical training does not require any exams and is open to those with no experience.
It has a wide range of available positions and is characterized by a wealth of human resources.

Although the period of technical training is fixed, if the occupation is the same, it is possible to transition to Specified Skilled Worker (i).
If you are granted Specified Skilled Worker (ii), there will be no limit on the period of stay and you will be allowed to bring your family with you, so you will be able to continue working for a long time.

The organizations involved in Specified Skills and Technical Intern Training are often confused, but these also have different objectives and obligations, and the organizations involved are also different.

If you are a company considering hiring specified skilled workers in the construction industry, please feel free to contact JAC!
We also introduce specified skilled workers.

[Please read this article]
What are Specified Skills? A detailed explanation of the process for accepting foreigners and the support organizations

*This column was written based on information from May 2024.