[MHLW] Working Group for Training and Securing Workplace Adjustment Assistants (Job Coaches) Held

On April 20, 2022, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) held its first Working Group on Training and Securing Workplace Adjustment Assistants.

Workplace adjustment assistants are also known as job coaches. Under the Act for Employment Promotion of Persons with Disabilities, there are three types of job coaches: placement-type, visiting-type, and company-enrolled-type.

In November 2020, the MHLW launched the Study Group on the Coordination between Employment and Welfare Policies for Persons with Disabilities to further strengthen their linkage and released its report in June 2021. The report suggested reviewing training programs to improve the workplace adjustment assistants' expertise and consider positioning them in a certain qualification. In light of this, the MHLW has set up this working group to discuss how support for workplace adjustment assistance should be provided and how to develop and secure human resources to fulfill the expected role of workplace adjustment assistance personnel.

The main points of discussion are as follows.

  • Role of workplace adjustment assistants, their job areas, and how they should provide their support
  • Reorganization of the training system for workplace adjustment assistants (curriculum, reorganization of hierarchical training, implementing institutions (including higher education institutions), and training implementation policies)
  • Measures to revitalize visiting-type job coaches (measures to promote utilization, review of subsidy system)
  • Consideration of granting qualification of workplace adjustment assistants (e.g., issues to be cleared when aiming for national qualification, a roadmap for the future, etc.)

For more information, please visit the website below (Japanese only):
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/shingi/shingi-rousei_126985_00011.html

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