#Japan #Tokyo #GEECHS JOB #FDE Program #Goofy Inc.

GEECHS JOB Launches Innovative FDE Development Program

In a significant step towards meeting the evolving demands of the IT landscape, GEECHS JOB, Japan's largest IT freelance agent based in Shibuya, Tokyo, in collaboration with Goofy Inc., is excited to announce the launch of its FDE (Forward Deployed Engineer) Development Program. This initiative, set to commence on July 15, 2026, is aimed at assisting registered IT freelancers in acquiring essential consulting and project management skills.

Background of the Program

The FDE Development Program marks the first phase of GEECHS JOB’s commitment to evolve into an AX support platform. Announced in June 2026, this program aims to empower IT freelancers to engage in projects as FDEs, equipping them with systematic skills necessary to thrive in the AI-driven landscape. According to a corporate survey conducted by GEECHS JOB, while 96% of companies have started utilizing generative AI, only a mere 12% have fully standardized its use company-wide. This discrepancy highlights the shortage of personnel capable of implementing AI in practical settings and converting it into business impact.

With the rapid advancements in AI-driven coding automation and efficiency, simple implementation tasks are increasingly being handled by AI, resulting in a shift in required engineering skills from 'how to implement' to 'what and why to create'. Consequently, skills such as problem setting, requirement definition, and stakeholder management are becoming crucial.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry estimates a shortfall of 3.39 million specialized personnel in advanced technologies by 2040, further intensifying the need for FDEs, AX consultants, and PMs according to GEECHS JOB’s project data.

GEECHS JOB, which has been a companion to the careers of IT freelancers for over 20 years, decided to go beyond mere project matching to support engineers in transforming their skills. With a focus on fostering ongoing self-improvement and collaborative growth, the initiative named 'Update Guild' was launched, with the FDE Development Program as its inaugural offering. This commitment is a reflection of GEECHS JOB’s dedication to nurturing talent that meets the forefront of today’s and tomorrow's IT landscape.

Overview of 'Update Guild'

The 'Update Guild' is designed to foster continuous growth among engineers through skill development and collaborative competition. The FDE Development Program will be the starting point to cultivate FDE talent through the acquisition of PM and consulting skills. The curriculum combines GEECHS JOB’s robust data on engineering talent and project connections with Goofy’s practical knowledge in IT/DX consulting, creating an environment that goes beyond theoretical learning to ensure practical application and community formation.

Program Details

Program Name:

FDE Development Program (1st Phase of 'Update Guild')

Schedule:

Kick-off event + 6 sessions

Duration:

Each session will last around 3 hours

Capacity:

Approximately 40 participants (selective)

Target Audience:

Registered IT freelancers of GEECHS JOB

Program Structure

Beginning with the kick-off on July 15, the FDE Development Program will consist of three phases starting on July 22, designed based on the practical knowledge Goofy has cultivated in the consulting and PM domains, featuring bi-weekly lectures and inter-session work assignments for gradual skill acquisition.

Phase 1: Business Transformation and Strategy Design (Sessions 1-2)

Participants will learn the foundational upstream processes, focusing on defining problems and constructing strategies. They will gain insights into hypothesis formulation, KPI design, and ROI to understand business from a quantitative perspective.

Phase 2: Project Promotion and Management (Sessions 3-4)

This phase emphasizes the communication and promotion skills necessary to actualize strategies. Attendees will learn logical thinking, documentation, PM skills, and an overview of digital transformation.

Phase 3: Comprehensive Workshop (Sessions 5-6)

Utilizing core skills, participants will practice addressing real-world business challenges. Completion of this phase will solidify their practical capabilities as FDEs through feedback sessions.

Key Features of the Program

1. Combining Technical and Business Transformation Skills:
The program aims to elevate engineers' market value by combining their existing technical skills with consulting and PM capabilities.

2. Curriculum Developed from Practical IT/DX Knowledge:
Crafted by Goofy, a specialized consulting and engineering group, the curriculum incorporates insights from frontline IT consulting experiences.

3. Access to Multiple Job Opportunities Post-Completion:
Upon finishing the program, participants will be introduced to various project opportunities from GEECHS JOB, Goofy, and other consulting affiliates, along with continuous support for community engagement and career development.

Company Overview

Company Name: Goofy Inc. (Co-hosting Company)
Headquarters: 29F Tokyo Nihombashi Tower, 2-7-1 Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
CEO: Hikaru Yagi
Business Activities: Support for selection and operation of SFA/CRM/MA tools, strategy development and execution for marketing initiatives, and devops-style DX support.
Website: Goofy Inc.

GEEKs' IT Talent Business is dedicated to creating new ‘norms’ in working styles, effectively bridging IT freelancers and companies as a pioneer in the sector. Currently, GEECHS JOB networks over 24,000 IT freelancers, providing a secure environment for challenges, transitioning its business model from merely connecting talent to solving corporate issues. With an abundant data pool and a collaborative team of humans and AI, it provides AX solutions that accelerate the implementation of AI in Japanese companies.