SkillDish Launches Specialized Foreign Staffing Service for Food Industry

SkillDish's Specialized Foreign Staffing Service for the Food Sector

In response to the increasing need for foreign talent in Japan’s food industry, SkillDish, headquartered in Itabashi, Tokyo, has launched a new staffing service tailored specifically for the food sector. This innovative approach aims to streamline the hiring process, completing recruitment from job posting to job offer in an average of just two weeks. With a focus on providing companies with skilled foreign workers, SkillDish also addresses the immediate demands faced by local food businesses struggling with labor shortages.

Context of Labor Shortages in the Food Industry

The food sector in Japan is grappling with a significant reduction in the workforce, a situation exacerbated by government statistics predicting that by the end of fiscal year 2028, more than 192,000 foreign workers will be needed in food production and dining sectors. Given that the visa category for specific skilled workers is divided into 16 different fields, this has led to fierce competition for talented individuals across other industries like construction and healthcare. Consequently, the need for a structured and proactive approach to hiring has become urgent.

Current recruitment practices have shown that only 13% of the total potential pool of foreign candidates express interest in working in the food sector, leading to a high turnover rate of 38% within the first three years, with 66% leaving within just one year. Local companies often report challenges such as prolonged vacancies without applicants, limited candidate selections from which to hire, and communication gaps leading to disputes and early resignations among new hires.

Introducing the Food-Specialized Foreign Staffing Service

SkillDish's service is designed to meet these specific recruitment challenges by offering a comprehensive strategy tailored to each company's hiring plans. This unique service guarantees a high retention rate, connecting businesses with pre-selected candidates who meet their criteria, thereby significantly easing the burden on HR departments.

The Recruitment Process

Here’s a breakdown of the structured process SkillDish follows:

1. Development of Recruitment Plans: Companies collaborate with SkillDish to formulate specific employment conditions such as required skills or experience in food processing. With the founder's background in the food industry, SkillDish is well-equipped to address the specific challenges faced by companies in this sector, providing realistic and practical hiring strategies.

2. Candidate Recruitment: While traditional staffing agencies typically offer around 60 candidates in the food sector, SkillDish boasts an expansive pool of over 2,500 potential candidates. Additionally, candidates receive training in food safety and Japanese language skills, all verified on-site by SkillDish, ensuring a high standard of quality in the candidates presented to employers.

3. Selection Interviews: SkillDish conducts preliminary interviews with interested candidates, ensuring that all parties have a clear understanding of the job conditions unique to the food industry, such as busy and slow seasons and work environment expectations. This step helps ensure that the candidates introduced are those most likely to integrate successfully into the companies.

4. Final Interviews and Job Offers: Candidates are specifically interested in jobs within the food sector, expressing strong motivations like wanting to work in food processing or deli production. This targeted approach allows companies to conduct precise interviews with potential hires. SkillDish supports all aspects of the hiring process, from coordinating interview schedules, arranging translation services, and providing post-hiring assistance with immigration for successful candidates.

Comparison to Traditional Staffing Companies

SkillDish offers a significantly more effective solution compared to traditional staffing agencies, facilitating a faster and more efficient hiring process. With the company's specialized focus and industry expertise, they empower food businesses to not only fill vacancies quickly but also to secure talent that will remain committed and engaged with their organizations.

Company Profile

- Company Name: SkillDish, Inc.
- Headquarters: 5F, DT Oyama Building, 12-2 Oyama-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- CEO: Momonori Igata
- Business Focus: Specialized foreign staffing in the food sector through the platform 'SkillDish', aimed specifically at the food manufacturing and dining sectors.
- License: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Licensed Employment Agency Number 13-Yu-317066