TOKYO: The Labour Ministry is ready to help young Thais work in Japan in various industries so they can develop their skills while expanding the nation's labour export market.
Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said on Thursday the ministry is urging workers to expand their careers by applying to Japan's Special Skilled Worker (SSW) programme, which allows people to immediately work in the country without any previous training required.
Those with an SSW visa are granted residency status which also affords them the chance to work and get on-the-job training in 12 occupational fields where Japan is now facing shortages.
These include nursing care, building maintenance, machine parts manufacturing and electronic work, construction, shipbuilding, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, agriculture, fisheries, food service, and food manufacturing.
Males aged 18-30 who are in good health and educated to at least Matthayom 6 (Grade 12) can apply.
Selected candidates will receive an 80,000-yen (19,000 baht) salary in the first month. From the second month onwards, Japan's minimum wage of 41,000 baht a month (without overtime) will be paid.
Housing and utility bills will be paid by the employers throughout the contract.
At the end of the training, participants will receive a job certificate and a 600,000-yen (142,659 baht) severance fund to help them pursue their future careers.
"This is a good starting point for pushing new workers to improve their skills and at the same time expanding Thailand's labour exports to Japan," Mr Pipat said.