Innovative Driver Training Program in Vietnam
In response to the growing need for qualified truck, bus, and taxi drivers in Japan, Hanyu Motor School and Hirosawa Driving School have joined forces with the Van Thanh Group in Vietnam to develop a comprehensive driver training program. This initiative specifically aims at offering Vietnamese citizens pursuing careers as professional drivers in Japan a robust training curriculum, enhancing their competency before they even set foot in the country.
Overview of the Program
This program spans approximately 50 hours, including practical driving sessions along with theoretical classes following Japanese standards. The initiative is crucial due to Japan's impending implementation of the “Specified Skills” visa category for foreign drivers, expected to begin operating full-scale in December 2024. Under this program, the Japanese government intends to accept up to 24,500 foreign drivers over five years to alleviate the severe shortage in logistics and public transport industries.
The challenge addressed by this innovative training program lies in the existing disparities in driving practices and road safety education in several developing nations. With many potential entrants originating from countries where road safety measures are not as strictly enforced, the initiative aims to bridge this gap through proper education and practical training.
Development of the Curriculum
Hanyu Motor School and Hirosawa Driving School invested considerable effort to devise a curriculum tailored to meet the unique demands faced by Vietnamese drivers. This curriculum covers key differences in driving regulations between Japan and Vietnam. Topics include safety checks before driving, adjusting driving positions, understanding left-hand traffic rules distinct from right-hand driving, safe lane changes, and the significance of stop signs, among others.
The instructional training includes utilizing a newly developed textbook alongside driving logs, ensuring graduates receive proper certification upon program completion. The unique aspect of this program involves training Vietnamese instructors, who will facilitate the classes in Vietnamese, with the assistance of Japanese trainers from the partner driving schools.
Strategic Partnerships
To maximize the effectiveness of this educational initiative, Hanyu Motor School has collaborated closely with Hirosawa Driving School and Vietnam’s Van Thanh Group. They are aligned with authorized support organizations like Tetra Shift Co., Ltd. and Think Three Co., Ltd., which play pivotal roles in recruiting and guiding aspiring drivers through this extensive 50-hour training program. This cooperative approach not only emphasizes practical skills but also provides theoretical knowledge on working within Japan’s transportation sectors.
Addressing Safety Concerns
Implementing this training program in Vietnam is expected to significantly enhance the proficiency of drivers who will later be assessed for obtaining their Japanese driving licenses. Consequently, this should lead to a reduction in the time required to earn a license upon arriving in Japan, increase the success rate of converting foreign licenses to Japanese, and decrease the likelihood of accidents when these drivers take to the roads for the first time.
Outlook and Future Plans
As Hanyu Motor School and Hirosawa Driving School continue to foster relationships with local driving schools across Vietnam, they aim to expand this program to cater to an even larger pool of aspiring drivers. This initiative reflects a progressive approach to international manpower exchange in the transportation sector, supporting both economic growth in Japan and career opportunities for Vietnamese citizens.
The partnerships formed through this unique collaboration not only set a precedent in Vietnam but also establish a model that could be replicated in other growing economies facing similar challenges in driver shortages and road safety education.
Through this initiative, Hanyu Motor School and its partners embrace a shared vision of enhancing global road safety standards while providing invaluable educational opportunities for future professional drivers.