Colleges of technology Higher education in Japan

colleges of technology (高等専門学校, kosen) in japan trade , technical schools offering apprenticeships , diplomas skilled trades , technical careers. colleges of technology offer certifications workers in support roles in professions such engineering, accountancy, business administration, nursing, medicine, architecture, , law. five-year programs offered within number of fields such broadcasting, business administration, computer science, arboriculture, medical care, web design, graphic design, industrial design, robotics, biotechnology, environmental technology , engineering. industrial trades, students can take courses in subjects such applied chemistry industrial chemistry, public works, merchant marine shipping, drafting, cnc machinery operation, construction management, landscape horiculture, livestock management, land surveying, city planning, interior design, , food inspection. other trade specialties offered colleges of technology include home inspection, landscape , park maintenance, power engineering, power plant operation, power line , security systems installation , servicing, culinary arts, appliance , hvac servicing, heat , frost insulation, pipeline maintenance, gasfitting, steamfitting, steel fabrication, plumbing, electrical works, masonry, warehousing, carpentry, machine operation, welding, aviation maintenance , servicing, auto , vehicle mechanics, , power equipment servicing.

as japanese economy began experience major growth in 1950s, major japanese corporations lobbied national government place stronger emphasis on vocational education fill in skills gap. private colleges of technology established in 1961 in response japan s growing need vocational education changing industry needs across japanese economy, automotive industry. there, high school age students acquire trade , technical skills through work-based learning, apprenticeships, , work placement programs. while university far prestigious form of education in japan, many japanese students choose attend colleges of technology alternative route. these schools allow them gain job skills without intense pressure of university admissions process. many students attend professional certifications , proceed enter workforce afterwards. however, common university graduates attend colleges of technology if efforts secure job university degree comes no avail.

70 trade , technical schools have been operating since 1960s. small percentage of college technology graduates transfer universities third-year students, , universities such university of tokyo , tokyo institute of technology, earmarked entrance places transfer students of colleges of technology in 1980s. students eligible enter colleges of technology halfway through senior secondary years. college of technology programs last 5 years. system of institutions founded in 1961 , have enjoyed increased popularity alternative route besides traditional path of going university. graduates of technical schools have successful in navigating japan s high-tech labor market been swamped job offers despite japan s sluggish economy during 1990s. graduates of trade , technical schools awarded associate degrees or diplomas, respected employers below bachelor s degrees in terms of prestige. many graduates of colleges of technology starting out move company company gain experience , move up. after spending years gaining experience , honing skills, go on become managers able supervise entire projects younger apprentices. nevertheless, technical graduates find employment upon graduation. technical education in skilled trades continues solid option students enjoy working hands , have no plans of attending university.

one of leading trade schools in japan nihon kogakuin college, part of katayanagi institute group. school has offered industrial education skilled trades , technical careers since establishment in 1947. school today proactively accepts foreign students due country s labor shortage of skilled technicians in japan s information technology industry. 10,000 graduates year, kosen colleges have not produced enough graduates meet demands of japanese industry major corporations give preference in job offers foreign-trained students, perceived more competent in workplace graduates of japan’s four-year universities.

a 2004 white paper japanese ministry of education, culture, sports, science , technology indicated colleges of technology leaders in use of apprenticeships , internships, more 90% of institutions offering opportunity compared 46% of universities , 24% of junior colleges. of 2008, 23.1% of high school graduates study @ colleges of technology 99.6% being employed after graduation.