Govt. to improve languages at schools targeting job market in Japan

In a bid to enhance employment opportunities in Japan, the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a program to implement Japanese and English languages proficiency at school level. 

“Sri Lankans are eligible to apply for employment as technical in-service trainees and employment in 14 sectors in Japan, as per the Memorandum of Understanding ((MoU) signed between the two countries,” a statement comprising weekly Cabinet Decisions issued by the Government Information Department noted. Against this backdrop, the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved a proposal to this effect submitted by Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara to inaugurate the teaching of Japanese and English languages under the technical subject stream implemented in the schools.

“The Government aims to develop soft skills in the sectors of nursing, hospitality, building, cleaning, agricultural activities, motor mechanism or electric and electronic mechanism, etc., aiming at the employment opportunities in Japan,” it added.

Competency in the Japanese language is an essential qualification for the purpose and should be qualified precisely from the examinations conducted in several stages. 

It also added that Japan has plans to recruit approximately 345,000 labourers for employment over the next five years under the special skills employment program.

Japan has signed agreements with seven countries including Sri Lanka for this purpose.