Competencies of Return to Work (RTW) Professionals for Successful Rehabilitation in Japan

Jun Yaeda, Rh.D. Associate Professor, University of Tsukuba, Tokyo, Japan

Rehabilitation International 2016 

Japanese Work Longer Hours• Productivity is not high enough• Regular Japanese work 1700 hours/year• Average Americans work 1400 hours/year• Work Productivity per hour is $ 40 in Japan

while $60 in US

16/07/16 公開講座＿八重田

Japanese Large Size is much smaller than the Small Size in the U.S.

http://blog.livedoor.jp/zzcj/archives/51881929.html

16/07/16 公開講座＿八重田

Japanese work much longer than other countries

200～ 300 hours

LONGER16/07/16 公開講座＿八重田

Employment Quota Rate of 2.0%

• Some companies have achieved 10% + quota• Competitive workers get paid enough to be

independent• 129,000 Non-competitive workers at Work Support

Agencies (Type B Agencies) earn only $140 monthly• 13,000 Semi-competitive workers at Work Support

Agencies (Type A Agencies) earn $680 monthly• 16,000 workers at Work Transition Centers earn

$210 monthly

RTW competencies of job coaches

• Assessed by SASC developed by Kundu • Systematic Approach to Placement (SAP) were

not quite high for Japanese JC• Need more in-service training

Work Stress

• Are they happy at work?• They must love work• Do they feel insecure if not working?• Teachers are one of professionals who have

the highest work stress in their lives• How about Job Coaches with limited

knowledge and skills?

Training JC in Japan

• Japanese government and some NPOs are providing some training regularly

• The number of JC has been increasing significantly

• But, only 6 days for the training is not enough• Creates work stress for not being able to

provide qualitative RTW services

Work Stress for Job Coach

• A study with 398 Japanese job coaches found that having insufficient competencies was one of the main reasons for their work stress (Ishihara & Yaeda, 2009).

Seminars provided by JC Net

2-day basic seminars3-day applied seminar1-day OJT

Basic Course

1. Assessment and planning2. Job Development and Informed Consent3. Work Place Assessment and Job Restructuring4. Developing Natural Support5. Systematic Instruction6. Utilizing Job Task Instruction and Assistive

Devices7. Follow-up

Seminar Participants

Social Workers (including PSW)Public and Private OfficersSpecial School TeachersBusiness PersonsMental Health Counselors

Professional Issues

• RTW in Japan = “Re-work Counselors” especially for people with psychiatric disabilities

• No certification for Re-Work Counselors as of 2016

• 400+ Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors have been certified by Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers, known as JEED

More Work Places for JC

1. Business Scenes2. Medical Settings3. School Settings4. Community Rehabilitation Facilities5. VR Centers

Young & Old Job Coaches

• Students majoring social work and rehabilitation can get more experience as “Student JC” through their field work practice

• Retired citizens who used to be business persons can become the “Senior JC”, using their expertise and rich working experiences

• “Peer JC” can provide their rich experience and become more independent