(4) Vocational Training, Industrial Human Resources Development, and Employment Creation
For quality growth, it is essential for people to acquire the necessary vocational skills. In developing countries, however, opportunities to receive quality education and training are limited. Moreover, the ineffective use of human resources tends to stifle opportunities for earning sufficient income. A shortage of appropriate human resources thus poses a major obstacle to industrial development in those countries.
“Work” constitutes a fundamental activity of humankind that shapes society. Increasing income by getting a job (employment) is an important means for improving the living standards of people. Nevertheless, the global employment situation is uncertain, and the number of unemployed people in 2019 was 188 million, an increase of 1.6 million over the previous fiscal year. Moreover, the International Labour Organization (ILO) announced that from April to June 2020, the total global working hours decreased by approximately 17% due to the spread of COVID-19 as compared to before the pandemic, an equivalent to 495 million full-time jobs. In order to create stable employment for a better future of work under these circumstances, each country must urgently prepare for risks by building social safety nets Note 12, as well as engage in an international effort to realize decent work, stipulated in Goal 8 of the SDGs.
● Japan’s Efforts
... Vocational Training and Industrial Human Resources Development
Field training underway with safety first through the architecture department of a vocational training center in Angola, where Japan is providing support for capacity building (Photo: JICA)
Based on requests from developing countries to develop human resources who can respond to diverse needs in technology and technical skills, Japan provides support to leading polytechnic and vocational training schools, which will serve as core centers in each country. In implementing this assistance, Japan, in cooperation with the private sector, supports the capacity building of teachers and trainers, the reinforcement of the operational capacity of training schools, and curriculum improvement in order to further strengthen the linkages between education and employment.
In the field of industrial human resources development, Japan implemented 64 comprehensive cooperation projects in 31 countries between 2000 and 2019. The projects drew on Japan’s insight and know-how for the development and revision of curriculums and teaching materials, capacity development of trainers, and collaboration with the industrial sector. As a result, Japan provided support for improving facilities and equipment at 12 schools in six countries, as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Japan also contributed to skill development through 14 projects in eight countries, with the aim of improving the livelihoods of women, persons with disabilities, and demobilized soldiers, as well as refugees and others whose lives have been impacted by conflicts.
The “Industrial Human Resource Development Cooperation Initiative” was announced at the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meeting in 2015 with the goal of assisting industrial human resource development of 40,000 people over the next three years in Asia. At the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meeting in November 2018, following the achievement of the initiative far exceeding the original goal, Japan announced the “Industrial Human Resource Development Cooperation Initiative 2.0,” which aims to support industrial human resource development of approximately 80,000 people in Asia over the next five years, with a view toward the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation in 2023. In this initiative, cooperation for industrial advancement capabilities, including in AI and other digital fields, has been newly listed, in addition to cooperation in practical technology, design and development capabilities, innovation, business administration, planning, and management capabilities, which have been emphasized thus far.
Furthermore, under the “Japan Revitalization Strategy 2016” decided by the Cabinet in 2016, with the aim of contributing to fostering innovation in both Japan and developing countries in Asia, Japan decided to launch a new initiative known as the “Innovative Asia” Initiative for circulation of competent human resources between Japan and Asian countries, aiming to offer study opportunities and internships in Japan for approximately 1,000 talented students from Asia over five years from FY2017. This new initiative was highly welcomed by partner countries on occasions such as summit meetings and aims to lead to the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Japan and Asian countries in the medium to long-term.
In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) conducts trainings both in Japan and targeted countries primarily from Southeast Asia Note 13, with which Japan has been expanding and deepening economically interdependent relationships. The trainings Note 14 are designed to transfer the Government and private sector’s accumulated know-how on Japan’s skills evaluation system (Japan’s National Trade Skill Test and Certification), with a view to developing and securing a quality workforce. In FY2019, a total of 123 people from three countries participated in these training programs. The training is expected to develop and improve skills evaluation systems in these countries, which in turn will promote the development of their skilled workers and elevate their social standing through increased employment opportunities.
In addition, in relation to Africa, Japan positioned developing industrial human resources as part of Japan’s contributions for Africa announced at TICAD7 held in August 2019 in Yokohama. Japan expressed its intention to train 140,000 people in order to diversify industries and create jobs in areas such as innovation, agriculture, blue economy Note 15, and others, through the Kaizen Initiative (see also “Stories from the Field”) as well as technical assistance by vocational training centers and the AfDB’s trust fund. Japan also announced that human resources development for business and industry would be conducted for 3,000 people to promote business between Japan and Africa in six years under the African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative 3.0)*. The ABE Initiative, driven by industry-academia-government cooperation, has accepted over 1,200 trainees to study at 84 universities (162 graduate courses offered) throughout Japan as of the end of FY2019.
... Employment, Including Job Creation
Japan also provides support in the area of employment. The question of how to address issues such as response to serious industrial accidents that occur frequently, and protecting the rights of workers and stabilizing employment amidst the expansion of the global supply chain, is a common issue for each country. In light of this, the improvement of the working environment from a global perspective is becoming an increasingly important issue. To cope with these problems, Japan provides technical cooperation for developing countries primarily in Asia, focusing on the enhancement of security and hygienic standards of work, as well as improvement of working environments, through means such as voluntary contributions to the ILO. In addition, Japan is also engaged in realizing decent work, such as providing support in Africa, including employment support for youth and others in Gambia, Mauritania, and Mozambique.
- *African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative)
- A program that invites youth in Africa to Japan and provides them with opportunities to gain master’s degrees at Japanese universities and participate in internship programs at Japanese enterprises, with the aim of promoting human resources development for business and industry in Africa and fostering “navigators” who will support the business activities of Japanese companies in Africa. At TICAD V held in 2013, it was announced that Japan would receive 1,000 trainees over five years through the ABE Initiative. At TICAD VI in 2016, it was further announced that the Initiative would train 1,500 people including through onsite human resources development over three years. At TICAD7 in 2019, it was announced that these efforts would be continued, training 3,000 people over the course of six years.
- Note 12: Mechanisms in which people can live in safety and without difficulties.
- Note 13: The target countries are Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
- Note 14: There are three types of training in this project: “training for people in charge of the creation of test standards and test problems,” “training for people in charge of tests and marking,” and “training for people in charge of trial certification evaluation.” The number of participants above is the total value for all types of training.
- Note 15: The blue economy aims to balance the conservation of ocean resources and economic development through the sustainable use of resources from the oceans, rivers, lakes, and more.