SkillDish Expands Foreign Worker Program to Agriculture and Fisheries Industries

SkillDish Enters Agriculture and Fisheries Industries

SkillDish, a company headquartered in Itabashi, Tokyo and led by CEO Hyakutaka Ikata, has officially launched a specialized service focusing on introducing foreign talent equipped with Specific Skill Visas in agriculture and fisheries. This service is an expansion of their existing offerings in the food industry, now encompassing a total of four sectors: food manufacturing, dining out, agriculture, and fisheries.

The company has established a support system that seamlessly assists all stages of the food supply chain while addressing the pressing labor shortage in Japan’s primary industries. SkillDish aims to propose skilled foreign workers tailored to the recruitment needs of individual companies, creating a robust supply chain to counterbalance the growing workforce demands.

Background of the Entry

Japan's agriculture and fisheries sectors are experiencing a rapid increase in labor shortages coupled with the aging of workers. Due to seasonal fluctuations and unpredictable weather conditions, these industries often struggle to maintain necessary labor levels during peak seasons, complicating production volumes in various regions.

This growing demand within the specific skills realm for agriculture and fisheries has become palpable year after year, with an acceleration in the transition from technical internships to specific skill roles. According to government statistics, by the end of 2028, it is estimated that 73,300 foreign workers with specific skill qualifications will be needed in agriculture and 14,800 in fisheries.

However, the specific skills visa program is divided into 19 different sectors, leading to intense competition among various sectors for skilled labor, especially in caregiving and construction. This situation prompts many businesses to urgently secure qualified personnel. Companies in rural areas wishing to hire foreign workers with specific skills in agriculture and fisheries often face challenges such as prolonged wait times for candidates or recruiting from a limited pool of applicants. Additionally, miscommunication regarding employment conditions can lead to disputes and early departures.

Consequently, there has been an increasing demand for a service that can accelerate hiring while avoiding mismatches. SkillDish’s existing expertise in hygiene management, production management, and support for foreign workers from their experience in food manufacturing and dining has led to the decision to expand these services into the agriculture and fisheries sectors to effectively tackle labor shortages.

Overview of the Service – Comprehensive Support Tailored to Agricultural and Fisheries Challenges

Agricultural Sector

In the agricultural domain, SkillDish provides specific skill workers capable of engaging in crop and livestock farming activities. This includes a wide range of tasks, from crop management and harvesting to sorting, shipping, and animal care. The company also enhances support for the transition from technical internships to specific skills to ensure businesses can hire effective talent reliably.

Given the significant seasonal variations in agriculture, flexible staffing arrangements are required during peak periods. SkillDish partners with registered support organizations to create tailored recruitment plans based on the needs of local farmers, thus alleviating on-site burdens regarding housing, living arrangements, and administrative processes.

Fisheries Sector

In relation to fisheries, SkillDish covers both fishing and aquaculture activities, assisting with various tasks such as net preparation, catch processing, and managing feeding and sorting in aquaculture. Given the drastic differences between busy and quiet periods, maintaining labor force stability is essential within this sector. SkillDish will work in collaboration with registered support organizations to develop a support structure that addresses specific labor conditions and safety management common to fisheries, ensuring both reduced burdens on workers and maintained operational stability.

Features of the Specialized Foreign Worker Service

The service is designed to match each company’s recruitment plan effectively, ensuring highly compatible workers with high retention rates.

Employers interact only with pre-screened candidates, resulting in a substantial reduction in workloads. Furthermore, the recruitment process completes within an average of two weeks, and there are no fees incurred until the placement is confirmed, making it an accessible option for various food industry enterprises, including those in rural areas.

Recruitment Process Schedule

Note: The employment introduced through this service is exclusively for full-time positions.
1. Formulating a Recruitment Plan
Companies define their employment conditions, such as the desire for experienced agricultural workers or applicants aiming for Specific Skill No. 2. SkillDish‘s focus on the food sector enables them to address specialized challenges and retention inquiries effectively.

2. Initiating Candidate Recruitment
Existing recruitment companies typically report a pool of around 60 candidates in the food sector. In contrast, SkillDish boasts more than 2,500 potential candidates, significantly enhancing recruitment options. The company directly examines candidates' training in food safety (HACCP) and Japanese language instruction, allowing employers to hire reliably without the need for overseas visits.

3. Conducting Selection Interviews
SkillDish conducts thorough preliminary interviews with interested candidates, focusing on understanding the unique employment conditions of agriculture and fisheries to ensure candidates meet the expectations of the employer.

4. Conducting Final Interviews and Offers
All candidates show a genuine desire to work in the food industry, with clear interests in roles such as managing aquaculture. SkillDish assists employers with scheduling interviews, providing translation services, and offering support throughout the hiring process, ultimately streamlining operations for hiring managers.

Statement from CEO Ikata Hyakutaka

"The severe labor shortage faced by Japan's agriculture and fisheries is a significant social challenge directly impacting food security. Through our work with foreign workers in the food manufacturing and dining sectors, we have built a supportive structure that addresses the challenges on the ground. Expanding the availability of our specialized service into agriculture and fisheries enables a seamless support system from raw material production to manufacturing and delivery in the food industry. We are committed to creating a growth-centric support framework for both employers and foreign workers to contribute to the sustainability of food systems in Japan."

About SkillDish

- Company Name: SkillDish Co., Ltd.
- Headquarters: 12-2, Oyama-cho, Itabashi City, Tokyo
- CEO: Ikata Hyakutaka
- Business Focus: Foreign worker recruitment strictly within the food industry
- Platform: Development and operation of the recruitment platform 'SkillDish' for specific skill foreign workers in agriculture, fisheries, food manufacturing, and dining sectors
- Labor Ministry Approval: Paid Employment Placement Number 13-Yu-317066

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