#Japan #Yokohama #Palsystem #Inclusive Employment #Seisa University

Promoting Inclusive Employment through Partnership

In a significant move towards fostering an inclusive work environment for individuals with disabilities, Seisa University and Palsystem Kanagawa have recently established a comprehensive partnership agreement. This collaboration targets the enhancement of employment opportunities and support for disabled individuals, aiming to make their integration into the workforce a socially accepted norm.

A Commitment to Empowerment

The agreement is focused on improving the professionalism of support staff working with disabled employees at Palsystem Kanagawa. This initiative includes various educational and training programs provided by Seisa University, located in Aoba, Yokohama. By harnessing the expertise from special support education, the university will equip staff members with the necessary skills and understanding to support their colleagues with disabilities effectively.

Following the signing of the agreement, Ken Nishinaga, Vice President of Seisa University, expressed his enthusiasm about contributing to a co-creating society through education. “We are thrilled to play a role in helping create a community where everyone can contribute and participate,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of building a society that encourages the participation of disabled individuals beyond merely meeting legal employment targets.

Chairperson Junko Fujita of Palsystem Kanagawa shared similar sentiments, affirming that through this partnership, staff will gain the necessary knowledge and confidence to interact with disabled employees. “This agreement will promote a workplace where everyone can work in safety and comfort, helping to realize our vision for 2030, which aims to build a community where everyone recognizes and supports each other,” she stated.

Recognizing Individual Strengths

As of now, Palsystem Kanagawa employs 21 individuals with disabilities across various roles, including warehouse operations in their distribution center and at a type B employment continuity support office, Heart Co-op Shonan. Tailoring tasks to suit each individual’s strengths is crucial, requiring an understanding of and specialized training for those providing support.

Employees with limited knowledge or experience in support roles may sometimes experience mental strain due to the responsibilities they hold. For the disabled employees, receiving appropriate aid should enable them to maintain their employment over the long term, contributing to the overall functionality of the work environment.

Details of the Collaborative Agreement

The primary objective of the partnership is to enhance the expertise of support staff involved in disabled employment at Palsystem Kanagawa. The collaboration will achieve this through:
1. Education and training to enhance the expertise of support staff.
2. Ongoing education and training to support employees' continued work and further contributions.
3. Any other necessary measures to achieve the objectives of the agreement.

With the approaching 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, Palsystem Kanagawa intends to broaden its collaborations with various organizations, aiming to craft a society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can thrive.

About Palsystem Kanagawa

Palsystem Kanagawa is located at Shin-Yokohama, and under the leadership of Chairperson Junko Fujita, it boasts a significant collective investment and a membership base of more than 368,000. This cooperative aims to produce over 570.2 billion yen in total business volume by the end of March 2025, indicative of its growing presence and commitment to quality service delivery in the region.

Their official website provides more information: Palsystem Kanagawa

This partnership not only serves as a testament to the growing commitment towards inclusive employment but also sets a benchmark for other organizations aiming to create similar collaborations in their communities.