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 jobs that can be worked in Specified Skills.
* The difference between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and No. 2 will be explained in "How to become a 'construction field' Specified Skilled Worker (i)" and "How to become a 'construction field' Specified Skilled Worker (ii)".
*Added in May 2024: From April 2024, four industries have been added: "Automobile transportation business", "Railway", "Forestry", and "Wood industry". There are now 16 jobs that can be worked in Specified Skills in total.

Specified Skills The types of work in the "construction field" are divided into three categories: "civil engineering", "construction", and "Infrastructure Facilities and equipment".
I will introduce the work in detail later.

There is also a system for foreigners to work in Japan Technical Intern Training.
Technical Intern Training and Specified Skills have the following differences in how they work:

• "Technical Intern Training" provides knowledge and skills while working, while "Specified Skills" requires knowledge and skills related to the industry in which they work.
• In 'Technical Intern Training' the family cannot live together in the Japan, but in the case of 'Specified Skilled Worker (ii)' the family can also live together in the Japan

The difference between Technical Intern Training and Specified Skills is "What is Specified Skilled Worker System? But I am introducing it in detail.
Please read it as well.

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

Specified Skills There are three types of work in the "construction field": "civil engineering", "architecture", and "Infrastructure Facilities and equipment".
Here are the tasks that can be done in three categories.

All of the Technical Intern Training occupations are also included.
Those who have completed Technical Intern Training have also made it easier 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 the skills evaluation exam and Japanese exams
(2) Transition 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".
Among the business categories "civil engineering", "construction", and "Infrastructure Facilities and equipment", you will take the test for the type of occupation you want.

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 Exam]
You must pass either "Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese" or "N4 or higher in the Japanese ability test".

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."

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

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

"Good completion of Technical Intern Training (ii) or No. 3" is a person who has completed a Technical Intern Training for at least 2 years and 10 months and falls under any of the following (1), (2), and (3).

(1) You must have passed the skill test level 3
(2) Pass the practical test of the evaluation test (professional level) Technical Intern Training of the same difficulty as the 3rd level of the skill test.
(3) Technical Intern Training There must be an "evaluation report" created by the company that accepted the student

The evaluation report is written by a person from the company about the skills that the Technical Intern Training students learned during the training, how much they attended the training, and their attitude and behavior during the training.

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 "Grade 1 of the National Trade Skill Test & Certification"

* 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, the company where Specified Skilled Workers can work is a company that is a member of "JAC (Japan Association for Construction Human Resources)".

We at JAC are an organization that accepts Specified Skilled Workers.
It was created in 2019 to accept and train foreigners who want to work in Japan as technicians.
We check whether foreigners are comfortable working and whether they are receiving the promised amount of 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.

Also, construction companies that accept Specified Skilled Workers are those that have the following certifications and qualifications:

• Specified Skilled Worker Acceptance Plan in the construction field Certified.
• Holds a construction business license
• Registered in the "Construction Career Up System"

Specified Skilled Worker Acceptance Plan in the construction field accreditation is recognized by the country as having a plan and readiness to accept Specified Skilled Workers students.

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 accept Specified Skilled Workers in the construction sector are making various preparations in this way.
Please feel free to come to 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.

Specified Skills has 1 and 2, and 1 can be moved from Technical Intern Training (ii) or 3.

Specified Skills work is broadly classified into three categories: "civil engineering", "architecture", and "Infrastructure Facilities and equipment".
Technical Intern Training industries are also included.
So even after Technical Intern Training is over, you can still work in Japan.

Only companies that are affiliated with JAC can accept Specified Skilled Workers.
Please rest assured that such a company has seniors and colleagues who can give instructions and training so that you do not have problems at work.