Digital training programs eyed to help people retrain, foster tech talent

The Yomiuri Shimbun

10:27 JST, February 8, 2022

The government plans to launch educational programs focused on teaching digital skills to unemployed people and nonregular workers whose employment situation has been impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

With the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida positioning the digital sector as a pillar of its growth strategy, nurturing human resources is another aim of the educational programs, which are scheduled to start in fiscal 2022 and likely to be free of charge.

According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the pandemic has impacted the employment situation of more than 120,000 workers, including people who were made redundant and those who were not offered contract renewals, among other situations.

In cooperation with the private sector and the national network of “Hello Work” employment centers, the government will support people who want to acquire digital skills, helping job seekers find work or change their careers.

The programs will initially be offered at 25 universities and technical schools across the country and will accept about 750 participants.

Participants who complete foundation courses in information security and programming are also expected to be offered work experience opportunities.

Courses for employed people will also be launched in more practical fields such as data analysis, deep learning and technology related to the so-called internet of things. About 300 people are expected to be accepted on such programs at 10 universities and other educational facilities.

The government aims to offer the digital courses nationwide by fiscal 2023 at the earliest.