Is educational background necessary for Specified Skills? We also introduce points to note when communicating Specified Skills exams and educational background.
Hello, this is Kano from JAC (Japan Association for Construction Human Resources).
Do people who want to work in Japan as specified skilled workers need to have an educational background?
This time, we will explain whether educational background is required to obtain Specified Skills residence status.
We will also introduce the requirements and exams necessary to become specified skilled workers.
We will also tell you what not to do when asked about your educational background, so please use this as reference.
Is educational background required for Specified Skills?
"Educational background" refers to the type of school you received your education at.
No educational background is required to obtain Specified Skills residence status.
If you are 18 years of age or older, you can take the Specified Skills test even if you are not attending school.
No educational background is required, but you must pass the following two exams to qualify for Specified Skills.
- Pass The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam
- Passing the Japanese language exam
However, foreigners who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) do not need to take the exam when transitioning to Specified Skills.
If you want to work in a field different from the one you worked in during Technical Intern Training (ii), you will need to pass The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam for the field you want to work in.
Information on the transition from technical intern training to Specified Skills is available here.
Can I move from technical intern training to Specified Skills? Here are the conditions and how to move.
"Career history" is required for Specified Skills applications
On the application form for Specified Skills, you will need to fill in the "Career Experience" section.
A resume is a description of the jobs you've had in the past.
Specified Skills require knowledge of the field in which you will work.
You should write about your past jobs to give an idea of how much knowledge you have in the field you will be working in.
Introducing the Specified Skills test!
I will explain about the Specified Skills test.
In order to work in Japan as specified skilled workers, you need to pass two exams: The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam and a Japanese language exam.
The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam
The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam measures the skill level of whether you can perform the job smoothly.
The content of the exam, where it is administered, and the date you take it will vary depending on your field of work.
You can find information about exams for each field on the Specified Skills Comprehensive Support Site.
For more information about The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam for the construction sector, please see the JAC website.
Japanese Language Exam
For the Japanese language exam, you can choose either the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) or the Japan Foundation Test in Japanese (JFT).
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT): N4 or higher required to acquire Specified Skills
- Japan Foundation Test for Fundamental Japanese (JFT): 200 points or more out of a total of 250 points is required to pass
The Japan Foundation Test for Japanese Language (JFT) is held more frequently than the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
The Japan Foundation Test for Japanese Language (JFT) is an exam taken on a computer or tablet, so you can find out whether you passed or failed immediately.
There are many other types of Japanese language tests, but the most well-known is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
For more information on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), please see this blog.
What is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test for foreigners? Introducing the different types and levels
What not to do when asked about your educational background
If you are asked about your educational background, do not lie or state anything that is not true.
If it turns out to be a lie, you will lose credibility with the company.
Furthermore, if you lie about your work history, it will be considered a "false application" and you will not be able to obtain Specified Skills qualification.
Even if you are able to obtain the qualification, it may be revoked.
If your residence status is revoked, you must leave Japan within a specified period of time.
You may also be deported and kicked out of Japan.
You may also be subject to imprisonment and fines.
As explained above, to qualify for Specified Skills, you must pass a Japanese language test.
If you lie about the results of your Japanese language test, you will not be able to work in Japan.
Summary: No academic qualification required for Specified Skills! Aim to pass The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam and the Japanese language test
You do not need an academic background to obtain the "Specified Skills" residence status.
Anyone over the age of 18 can take the Specified Skills test.
However, the application form for Specified Skills has a "career history" section where you can write about your past work.
If you write something in your resume that is not true, you will be guilty of falsifying your resume.
Please do not do this under any circumstances as it may result in you being unable to work in Japan.
To become specified skilled workers, you must pass two exams: The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam and a Japanese language exam.
If you are transitioning from Technical Intern Training (ii) to Specified Skills, you do not need to take the exam.
If the fields of work Technical Intern Training (ii) and Specified Skills are different, you should take The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam for the field in which you want to work.
You can apply for Specified Skills regardless of your educational background.
If you are interested in working in Japan, please give it a try!
About us, JAC
JAC (Japan Association for Construction Human Resources) is an organization that supports all specified skilled workers working in the Japanese construction industry. We work with companies that accept specified skilled workers to create a comfortable work environment for all of you.
We also conduct the exams necessary to become specified skilled workers!
JAC has also received many job offers from companies looking to hire specified skilled workers.
Recruiting specified skilled workers! Job Listings
For those of you who want to work in Japan using Specified Skills, we are introducing jobs that match your occupation and aspirations!
If you have any problems, please feel free to contact us!
