#Japan #Osaka #job fair #Career Experience #JinJib

Job Fair 2025: A Unique Opportunity for High Schoolers

In May and June, the 'Oshigoto Fair 2025' took place across 19 venues in Japan, aimed at providing high school students an invaluable experience in career exploration. Organized by Jinjib, a company based in Osaka, this event marked its fourth year, inviting students to interact with various companies and discover potential career paths through hands-on experiences.

The Essence of the 'Oshigoto Fair'

The 'Oshigoto Fair' serves as a pivotal platform where high school students gather with local enterprises, facilitating direct job experiences and conversations with professionals. These activities are designed to enhance students' understanding of different professions and ignite their interest in various career options.

Notable Experiences Offered

During this year's fair, approximately 576 companies from diverse industries participated, engaging over 6,002 students nationwide. Activities spanned numerous sectors, allowing students to try tasks such as:

• - Apparel Industry: Coordinating outfits and photo shoot experiences in Kumamoto
• - Healthcare Sector: Practicing skills like suctioning in medical simulation at Gifu
• - Construction Field: Experiencing waterproofing treatments and plastering techniques in Niigata and Kumamoto, respectively
• - Service Industry: Flower arrangement exercises in Fukuoka

This year’s event attracted more participants than ever before, highlighting a significant increase from previous years. A total of 19 venues across cities, such as Osaka, Sendai, and Fukuoka, showcased regional companies eager to connect with the future workforce. Notably, the fair introduced seven new locations this year, including Nagasaki and Shizuoka, thus reaching a broader audience of high school students.

Impetus Behind the Fair

As the demand for high school graduates in the job market continues to rise, so does the issue of high turnover rates among young employees. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that as of last year, a staggering 38.4% of new high school graduates left their jobs within three years, underscoring the necessity for better informational resources and career education to reduce mismatch during job hunting. Jinjib aims to bridge this gap, offering early exposure to the job market and encouraging students to reflect on their strengths and preferences.

Enhancing Career Understanding

Feedback from participating students was overwhelmingly positive. Many shared their newfound appreciation for career options they had previously found daunting. A male senior from Sendai expressed relief in discovering that the prospect of employment was less intimidating than he had expected. Similarly, students exploring the healthcare field realized the variety of roles available, whereas others discussed how the fair transformed their perceptions of employment.

Insights from Participating Companies

Exhibiting companies also reported a surprising depth of engagement from students. For instance, a representative from a logistics firm highlighted the enthusiasm and genuine interest of high schoolers, emphasizing how crucial it is for local companies to attract young talent. Comments from various company representatives illustrated a shared enthusiasm to build a stronger connection with the upcoming workforce.

Feedback and Future Endeavors

A survey conducted among participants revealed that 77.9% of students noted a positive change or insightful experience due to their participation. Many respondents acknowledged that their engagement allowed them to broaden their understanding of diverse professions. Moreover, 64.8% reported finding potential career opportunities of interest during the fair, while 54.5% expressed desire to explore internships with companies they encountered.

Moving forward, Jinjib is committed to continuing their efforts in providing high school students with a supportive environment to navigate their career decisions confidently. The team believes that by facilitating events such as the 'Oshigoto Fair', they can foster a culture where high school graduates view direct employment as a viable and respectable option. Encouraging exploration and broadening perspectives on career choices will ultimately have a positive impact on the future workforce.

Conclusion

The 'Oshigoto Fair 2025' not only serves as an essential event for students but also supports local businesses in bridging the gap to recruit young talent effectively. As we see a shift towards recognizing diverse career paths, this initiative aims to empower students by equipping them with the knowledge and experiences they need to make informed decisions about their futures.

Jinjib is steadfast in fostering the potential of high school graduates and aims to be an indispensable support for students embarking on their career journeys. As we move forward, they continue to seek ways to integrate career education and create opportunities for meaningful engagements between students and businesses across Japan.