What kind of jobs are there in the "Construction" field for Specified Skills (SSW)? Here's what they do!

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

Do you know what kind of jobs are available in the "construction field" of Specified Skills (SSW), one of the residence statuses (qualifications to live in Japan)?
In 2022, the range of jobs available in the "construction sector" of Specified Skills will be expanded, increasing the number of places where foreigners can work.

Here, we will talk about the types of "construction fields", the content of the work, and the conditions for obtaining Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in the "construction field".

If you are concerned, please consult with your company or a "dispatch agency" that can help you obtain a "Specified Skills" residence status.

*This column has been rephrased to make it easier for foreigners to understand. Therefore, the words used may differ from those used in other materials or information.

What is the "construction sector" where foreigners can work as Specified Skills (SSW)?

Specified Skills is a residence status (qualification to live in Japan) that was created to allow foreigners to play an active role in jobs in Japan where there is a labor shortage.

There are two types of Specified Skills: Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

There are a total of 12 industries in which you can work using Specified Skills.
*The difference between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and No. 2 will be explained in the following sections: "How to become Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the Construction Sector" and "How to become Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in the Construction Sector."
*Added in May 2024: As of April 2024, four new industries have been added: "Automobile transportation," "Railway," "Forestry," and "Wood industry." There are now a total of 16 industries in which you can work with Specified Skills.

The types of jobs in the "construction field" Specified Skills are divided into three categories: "civil engineering," "architecture," and "lifelines and facilities."
The details of the job will be introduced later.

One system that allows foreigners to work in Japan is "technical training."
There are the following differences in working style between technical intern training and Specified Skills.

• "Technical training" allows people to gain knowledge and skills while working, but "Specified Skills" require knowledge and skills related to the industry in which they will be working.
• In the case of "Technical Intern Training", family members cannot live together in Japan, but in the case of "Specified Skilled Worker (ii)", family members can live together in Japan.

The differences between technical training and Specified Skills are explained in detail in "What is the Specified Skills System? An easy-to-understand explanation!"
Please read this as well.

What jobs can you work in the construction field as Specified Skills (SSW)? Let's take a look at the job content.

The types of jobs in the "construction field" Specified Skills are divided into three categories: "civil engineering," "architecture," and "lifelines/facilities."
Here we will introduce the work that can be done in three categories.

This includes all occupations that are subject to technical training.
It has also become easier for people who have completed technical training to transition to Specified Skills.

Since all construction work falls into one category, the number of jobs available to foreigners has increased, and they are now able to take on a variety of tasks.

How to obtain Specified Skills (SSW) in the construction field

We will introduce how to obtain Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the "Construction Field" and how to obtain Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in the "Construction Field".

How to become Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the "Construction Field"

There are two ways to obtain the "Construction Field" Specified Skilled Worker (i) residence status.

① Pass skills evaluation exam and Japanese language test
②Transitioning from Technical Intern Training (ii) or No. 3

We will explain each method.

① Pass skills evaluation exam and Japanese language test

This is a way to pass the "The Specified Skills (i) Evaluation Exam for Construction Industry" or the "Skills Test Level 3" and a Japanese language test.

[The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam]
You must pass the "The Specified Skills (i) Evaluation Exam for Construction Industry."
You will take the exam for the job category you wish to work in, out of the three work categories: "civil engineering," "architecture," or "lifelines/facilities."

The exam consists of a written exam and a practical exam, which are conducted using computer-based testing (CBT).

[Skill Test Level 3]
The Skill Test is a national certification exam that certifies the skill level of workers in various fields such as construction, electricity, and food.
As of January 2023, certification is available for 32 types of construction-related jobs.

The skills test is not just an exam for foreigners; Japanese people take it too.
To become Specified Skilled Worker (i), you must pass the Level 3 exam.

[Japanese Language Exam]
You must pass either the Japan Foundation's Test in Basic Japanese or the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (N4 or above).

For more information on Japanese language exams, please read "What is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test for foreigners to take? Introducing the different types and levels."

②Transitioning from Technical Intern Training (ii) or No. 3

Those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) or No. 3 can change their residence status from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skills without taking an exam.

"Successfully complete Technical Intern Training (ii) or No. 3" refers to a person who has completed technical intern training for two years and ten months or more and who falls under any of the following (1), (2), or (3).

(1) Pass the Skill Test Level 3
(2) Pass the practical exam for the Skill Internship Evaluation Test (specialized level), which is of the same difficulty as the Skill Test Level 3.
(3) There is an "evaluation report" prepared by the company that accepted the technical intern trainee.

The evaluation report is written by someone from the company about the skills the trainee learned during the internship, how often he or she attended the internship, and the trainee's attitude and behavior during the internship.

How to become Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in the "Construction Field"

To obtain Specified Skilled Worker (ii) status of residence, the following conditions must be met:

• Must have a certain amount of work experience as a team leader with Specified Skilled Worker (i)
• Pass the "The Specified Skills (ii) Evaluation Exam for Construction Industry" or "Skills Test Level 1"

* A team leader is a person who supervises two or more skilled construction workers at a construction site and manages the process.

What kind of companies are hiring foreign workers Specified Skills (SSW) in the "construction sector"?

First of all, companies where specified skilled workers can work are companies that are members of Japan Association for Construction Human Resources (JAC).

We at JAC are an organization that handles the acceptance of specified skilled workers.
It was established in 2019 to accept and train foreigners who want to work in Japan as skilled workers.
We check whether it is easy for foreigners to work and whether they are receiving the promised salary.

In the construction industry, you travel to different locations to work.
For that reason, there are many seniors and colleagues who give instructions and guidance to foreigners so that they do not have any problems at work.

In addition, construction companies that employ specified skilled workers are companies that have the following certifications and qualifications:

• Received "Construction Specified Skills Acceptance Plan Certification"
• Holds a construction business license
• Registered in the "Construction Career Up System"

The certification of the Construction Specified Skills Acceptance Plan is recognition by the government that you have plans and preparations in place to accept specified skilled workers.

Companies that hold a construction business license or are registered with Construction Career Up System tend to have a good working environment and stable management.
In many cases, these companies are easy to work for not only foreigners but also Japanese people.

Companies that plan to accept specified skilled workers in the construction industry are making various preparations like this.
Please feel free to come and work in Japan.

Summary: The number of jobs in the "construction field" Specified Skills has increased, making it easier for foreigners to work

"Specified Skills" is a new residence status (qualification to live in Japan) designed to enable foreign nationals to work in industries where there are few Japanese workers.

There are two Specified Skills: No. 1 and No. 2, and No. 1 can be transitioned from Technical Intern Training (ii) or No. 3.

Specified Skills jobs are broadly classified into three categories: civil engineering, construction, and lifelines/facilities.
This includes all industries involved in technical training.
Therefore, you will be able to work in Japan even after your technical training is over.

Only companies that are members of JAC can accept specified skilled workers.
In such companies, you can rest assured that you will have seniors and colleagues who can give you instructions and train you so that you don't have any problems at work.