Japan’s International Manpower Development Organization (IM Japan) has earmarked JPY15 million ($155,000) to provide a vocational training program for poor youths in Vietnam. Under an agreement signed by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids Social Affairs (MoLISA) and IM in Hanoi on Aug 7, the free training program will be held in Vietnam for young people aged 18-25 from poor families or households entitled to social welfare policies. Successful applicants will undergo training and learn Japanese in six months before the internship commences. Trained workers will then be recommended to small and medium sized companies in Japan to intern for a period of three years. After completing the internship, apprentices will return and will receive grants of JPY600,000 each to start their careers in Vietnam. Vietnam and Japan have used the technical internship program to train Vietnamese apprentices in Japan since 2006, following an agreement signed in 2005. According to IM Japan, approximately 1,200 youths have undergone training in Japan since 2006. (baodientu.chinhphu.vn Aug 8, Tin Tuc – News Aug 8)
