With the H1B visa fee hike debacle, Indians are now looking for reliable alternatives to the US when it comes to studying and working abroad. In one such
move, Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma has announces plans to train 50,000 youth of the state in the Japanese language, and send them to the Asian country for further work opportunities. In a video, uploaded on his 'X' (earlier known as Twitter) account, Sarma said that the Assam government has decided to train 50,000 boys and girls with foreign language skills with the first cohort to learn Japanese language. These selected students will then be sent to Japan for work opportunities. “There is an understanding between the governments of Japan and India to facilitate the placement of five lakh Indian youths in Japan by 2030. Out of this, the government of Assam has received assurances that 50,000 candidates from Assam will be part of this initiative, which could be extended to one lakh, depending on proactiveness and engagement,” he added. This is being done under the state government's newly launched 'Chief Minister’s Foreign Languages Initiative for Global Human Talent (CM-FLIGHT)'. Through this scheme, an initial batch of 180 students will undergo language training through three partners, namely ASEAN-ONE Co. Ltd, Jaceex Ventures LLP, and Meiko Career Partners Co. Ltd. Through this, the government seeks to connect the youth from the state to Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa programme.
Japan launched the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa programme to address labour shortage there, in sectors such as construction, nursing care and food services. Through meetings held with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan, Fukushiro Nukaga, Toshiaki Nishikawa, chairman of ASEAN One Company Ltd has agreed to reduce the training fees from Rs 3.6 lakh to Rs 1.8 lakh.
Additionally, the state government will also provide financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per candidate, provided to training and implementation partners to cover the cost of instruction, orientation, and documentation under this newly launched programme. After placement, an additional Rs 50,000 will be given per candidate for relocation costs.
“After government support under the CM-FLIGHT initiative, the effective fee for candidates would be approximately Rs 30,000, making this opportunity far more affordable and accessible for the youth of Assam,” Sarma said in the public address.
