Connecting Young Talent to the Construction Industry: The 2025 Employment Fair Report

On November 8, 2025, the '2025 Employment Fair' took place, co-hosted by Contrat and the Tokyo Small Construction Industry Association. This initiative aimed to connect job seekers with opportunities in the construction sector amid a growing need for workforce solutions due to aging and labor shortages. The fair provided a platform to showcase the appeal of careers in construction and to promote employment and retention in the industry.

Background of the Event

The construction industry is facing significant challenges, including an aging workforce and a shortage of skilled labor. Young professionals and foreign workers are seen as vital for revitalizing the sector. The employment fair was organized to raise awareness of the various opportunities within construction and to create valuable connections between job seekers and companies.

Day of the Event and Results

A total of five member companies from the Tokyo Small Construction Industry Association participated in the fair, with 35 job seekers in attendance. The event consisted of:

1. General Overview: Company representatives from Contrat provided a comprehensive introduction to participating firms.
2. Individual Interactions: Job seekers were divided into groups of 5-6 and rotated through individual booths, where they received direct explanations about each company's offerings.

This small-group format allowed job seekers to gain deeper insight into the construction industry while enabling employers to tailor their recruitment conversations. The result was a series of meaningful interactions and direct communication between both parties. Contrat plans to continue facilitating opportunities that foster better matches between employers and potential hires.

Feedback from Participating Companies

Kondo Group (a general construction company handling public and private civil engineering projects)

Participation in this event was a natural choice for us, having attended previous events organized by the Tokyo Small Construction Industry Association. We are facing challenges in securing enough personnel, and we had been informed by Contrat that a significant number of young job seekers would be present. Contrary to our expectation of facing candidates with negative perceptions about the construction industry, we found attendees listening positively to our presentation. We were especially surprised by the number of female candidates interested in construction roles.

Typically, similar events see very low interactions at booths, but the small-group structure facilitated a heightened level of engagement. We were able to connect with many job seekers, which was very satisfying, and we would gladly participate again in the future.

Soei Kiso Industry Co., Ltd. (specializing in ground improvement work)

We approached the fair looking for ways to connect with potential candidates due to the challenges we face in both mid-career and new graduate hiring. We recognize that the appeal of the construction industry cannot be fully conveyed through job listings or career centers; therefore, we aimed to engage with candidates directly. The feedback from job seekers was encouraging; many appeared proactive about exploring construction careers, and though more than half were inexperienced, we promote our opportunities for entry-level applicants. The supportive role of Contrat staff in guiding attendees to our booth was instrumental in making the event successful, and we would welcome more such opportunities in the future.

Event Details

- Event Name: 2025 Employment Fair
- Date: November 8, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Venue: Conference room at Contrat's Tokyo headquarters
- Co-Hosts: Tokyo Small Construction Industry Association and Contrat
- Job Opportunities: Positions in construction management, CAD operational roles, sales, and administrative job roles
- Target Audience: Job seekers, graduates, and students scheduled to graduate in 2026

About the Tokyo Small Construction Industry Association

The Tokyo Small Construction Industry Association is an industry group comprising small-scale construction firms in Tokyo. Its missions include strengthening the management foundation of small construction businesses, securing and fostering human resources, and promoting work-style reforms.

- President: Hiroyuki Watanabe
- Location: 5th Floor, TOM Building, 2-10-7 Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
- URL: Tochuken

About Contrat

Contrat is dedicated to solving the human resource shortages in the construction industry by matching individuals seeking careers within it with companies in need of staff. We provide recruitment services for various construction roles and work in partnership with the National Construction Personnel Association to enhance visibility for potential candidates. Our ongoing mission focuses on addressing the systemic issue of labor shortages in the construction sector, ensuring a thriving future for this vital industry.

- CEO: Naoki Shibata
- Location: 3rd Floor, Kojimachi Sanyou Building, 3-5 Nibancho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
- Contact: 03-6268-9601
- URL: Contraft
- Business License Numbers: 13‐ユ‐313897 (Paid Employment Placement Business), 派 13‐315925 (Temporary Staffing Services)