Considering the Employment Choice Support Scheme at the Community Level: Insights from its Model Project in Sapporo City

Toshimasa Shigeizumi
Director of Tonetto Center, NPO Kinahare Employment and Life Support Plaza

The Employment Choice Support Model Project in Hokkaido (hereinafter referred to as “the Model Project”) was conducted from October to December 2024 in six cities — Sapporo, Ebetsu, Otaru, Obihiro, Kushiro, and Hakodate — with the participation and cooperation of approximately 20 workplaces and 24 target individuals. This report focuses primarily on the project in Sapporo, where the author was directly involved in implementation.

In the Sapporo project, a series of preparatory meetings were held among the participating members from the outset to discuss assessment methods and the selection of individuals to take part in the Model Project. Regarding assessment, we referred to the Assessment Tools for Employment Support developed by the National Institute of Vocational Rehabilitation (NIVR) and utilized a standardized assessment sheet across all settings.Regarding participating individuals, the Model Project focused on those unsure about which welfare services to choose—such as whether to use Type A or Type B work support, or to seek direct employment instead of welfare services. Accordingly, two municipal special-needs high schools (hereinafter called “special-needs schools”) cooperated with the project, and seven second-year students participated. Additionally, three individuals, introduced by service providers in employment transition support and Type A workplaces in Sapporo, also took part in the initiative.

The Model Project members visited special-needs schools and conducted a series of sessions as follows:

• On the first day, an interview was held with students who were considered potential participants in the Model Project, their homeroom teacher, and the career guidance teacher.
• On the second and third days, the work assessment was conducted.
• On the fourth day, a reflection meeting was held with related organizations.

As one example, there was a student for whom the school was uncertain whether life care (day activity program) or a Type B workshop would be more appropriate. Through the interview and work assessment process, four key findings were identified, along with four points proposed to the student and the school:

1. The student demonstrated a high level of motivation toward employment.
2. Compared to other students, the student demonstrated strong working memory skills, which were recognized as a personal strength. The student’s irregular school attendance was identified as a future area for improvement.
3. Based on the above, it was suggested that the student and school consider general employment rather than welfare-based services, possibly including company-based internships.
4. In line with this, if necessary, the student may use the Job Supporters deployed by Sapporo City at local employment and life support centers.

During the subsequent reflection meeting, the school offered positive feedback, stating that early collaboration with welfare agencies—beginning in the second year through participation in such employment-choice projects—could help both schools and students broaden their understanding of employment support options. They also mentioned that the process itself provided valuable learning opportunities for teachers to deepen their knowledge of assessment. (At present, the student in question is considering direct employment.)

Following the completion of the Model Project, Sapporo City held discussions on the Employment Choice Support Project (hereinafter referred to as “the Choice Project”) among members of the Employment Support Promotion Committee and municipal officials. These discussions included explanatory meetings and consultations regarding the designation process for its service providers.

As a result, criteria for the selection and designation of such providers were established.(Reference materials can be accessed by searching)「札幌市 指定就労継続支援B型における条例遵守の徹底」”Sapporo City Employment Choice Support Service Provider Designation”on the city’s website

Through the implementation of this Model Project, participants collectively recognized that employment choice support offices are required to possess a broad range of competencies and awareness, such as comprehensive assessment skills, knowledge of community-based social resources, and a strong sense of neutrality and fairness.

At the same time, it was also acknowledged that designated service providers — such as employment support offices — must have the capacity to interpret and act upon the findings provided by the employment choice support offices. They are further expected to maintain a strong commitment to improving the quality of their services. (For reference, materials related to quality improvement can be accessed by searching) 「札幌市 指定就労継続支援B型における条例遵守の徹底」”Sapporo City: Ensuring Compliance with Regulations in Designated Type B Continuous Employment Support”
However, there are limits to what a single support office or corporation can achieve in building such capacities and awareness. To overcome these limitations, it is essential for both public and private sectors, including local governments and community-based Self-Support Councils, to collaborate as one. By jointly working not only on the Choice Project but also on related employment support services and corporate engagement, the community as a whole can expand the range of employment and life choices available to persons with disabilities. In this way, the Choice Project can evolve into a more effective and sustainable initiative that benefits the entire local community.