Project Profile

The significance of promoting initiatives
in the region

The Need to Promote Study Abroad in Australia
for Childcare Workers and Care Workers

1．Expanding and Deepening Japan-Australia Relations

Australia is the world’s 12th largest economic power (Ministry of Finance and World Bank Surveys 2022). Since the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) came into effect in 2015, bilateral exchanges have expanded, not only in trade and investment but also tourism and education. The number of Japanese students studying abroad in Australia has increased to around 12,000, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic. In Australia, the growing demand for childcare and nursery care, driven by population growth and aging population, is supported by a well-established system for human resource development in these fields. Meanwhile, in Japan, with a declining birthrate and aging population, there is an expected increase in the demand for securing human resources in these fields, including professionals proficient in English, in response to rapid globalization. Therefore, opportunities for professionals trained in English-speaking countries are expected to grow, and the complementary relationship between Japan and Australia is also anticipated to strengthen in the fields of childcare and nursery care.

2．Characteristics of Professional Human Resource Development in Australia

As an English-speaking, multiethnic, and multicultural country, Australia has a well-established vocational training system that provides students with specialized knowledge and practical skills to meet market demands. A wide range of specialized and English language courses are available to international students. In Australia, there are many private vocational schools alongside the public institution TAFE (Technical and Further Education), and the number of Japanese students studying there is steadily increasing. The program is distinguished by its extensive practical training system in collaboration with industry, designed to develop professionals who can immediately contribute to their fields.

3. Few Study Abroad Programs for Training Childcare and Nursery Care in Japanese Education

In Japan, most training schools for childcare and nursery care focus on specialized curricula designed to prepare students for national certification within two years, leaving little time for other subjects. As a result, few schools offer programs that develop global human resources in childcare and nursery care services, leading to a lack of global adaptability. In recent years, the number of foreign children has increased, highlighting communication challenges with both the children and their parents at the childcare centers operated by our school. An increasing number of situations are arising where childcare and care workers are unable to provide sufficient support due to language barriers, which poses a risk to the quality of services. Therefore, this project aims to develop a curriculum that improves English proficiency and enhances the development of a global workforce in childcare and care services. This will improve the quality of childcare and nursery care services and foster professionals with a global perspective.

4．Education and Training Environment that Enhances Global Perspectives and Expertise for International Students

Since Australia is recognized as a multicultural society and provides a high level of education and services in childcare and nursery care, the project aimed at promoting studies in Australia to enhance global perspectives and expertise is considered as a crucial initiative for improving the quality of childcare and care services in Japan.

＜Key Features of Promoting Study Abroad in Australia＞

・The security and safety of international students are legally protected, ensuring they can feel safe and secure during their study abroad experience.

・The country has a globally recognized high standard of education, especially in specialized fields and qualification systems, making it easier to secure employment after obtaining qualifications. (In general, studying in Australia is essential for acquiring these qualifications.)

・Australia offers a study-abroad system that allows students to work, providing financial stability during their studies. (Many countries generally prohibit employment on student visas.)

・With people from over 200 countries living together, Australia offers an ideal environment to develop “cross-cultural understanding,” a skill that is highly valued in today’s globalized world.

・Due to the minimal time difference with Japan, online study with Australian schools is possible. This allows students to improve their English skills before departure and engage in effective preparation, enhancing their understanding of their studies while abroad.”

5．Learning International Best Practices

Australia’s childcare and nursery care systems are highly regarded worldwide, and they implement advanced initiatives, including the following.

【Childcare Worker】
An advanced curriculum and evaluation standards designed to provide care and education that support children’s growth and development, allowing international students to learn the latest educational theories and practices. The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), an Australian early childhood education curriculum, is a comprehensive framework that promotes children’s learning and development and is recognized worldwide. Research has shown that educational programs using the EYLF are effective in fostering children’s social and emotional development.

【Care Worker】
In Australia, comprehensive care plans and a user-centered approach have been implemented to ensure the quality of care for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. This allows international students to learn how to provide high-quality care. Many studies have shown that the user-centered approach in elderly care improves user satisfaction and quality of life. For example, studies in Australian aged care homes have reported that user-centered care positively impacts both the mental and physical health of residents.”

6．Implementing Human Resource Development to Meet Japan’s Social and Regional Needs through Specialized Education in English

・International students have the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills, which they can then apply in their worksite in Japan.

・Our institution has been providing specialized education for childcare and care workers to address the human resource needs of Okinawa Prefecture. However, opportunities to learn in English have been limited. On the other hand, Global Sky Ltd., an education provider in Australia, along with its partner schools, has been accepting individual students and offering practical training programs in recent years. By collaborating with both parties, we can create opportunities to develop global human resources in the fields of childcare and nursery care.

・In Japan, several vocational schools offer English language courses to improve English proficiency and international programs that include study abroad (mainly short-term) as part of their curricula. However, there are few courses or departments that provide continuous support from qualification acquisition to employment in both countries, making this initiative highly innovative (according to our school’s research).

・We are exploring the possibility of lateral spread, not only in Okinawa but also in regions with significant foreign resident populations, such as Fussa/Yokota, Iwakuni, and Yokosuka.

・The demand for bilingual and multilingual childcare and care workers is increasing, and their salary levels are slightly higher than average (according to our school’s survey).

Specific Details of Initiatives to be Implemented

Outline of Initiatives

Barriers to Studying in Australia and Their Solutions

(1)Lack of English Proficiency ⇒ A pre-study abroad program will be provided to help students acquire the required English proficiency (IELTS score of 5.5 or above) before departure.

(2)Insufficient information on study abroad destinations ⇒ Through partnerships with local schools, students can choose their study abroad destination while still enrolled at our school.

(3)Insufficient information on practical training placements ⇒Typically, students are responsible for finding their own practical training placements, but Global Sky Ltd. (and its Australian subsidiary) will secure placements for them.

(4)Concerns during study abroad ⇒ A comprehensive support system is provided by our school, partner schools, Global Sky Ltd., and the practical training facilities.

(5)Concerns about employment after study abroad ⇒ Our school’s career services department provides dedicated support to help students find employment after their study abroad.

Challenges for Child Care and Care Workers in Japan, Including Okinawa, and Solutions Through Studying Abroad in Australia

(1)Lack of international perspectives and expertise ⇒ Australia’s high standard of education and services is leveraged to enhance international perspectives and expertise.

(2)Lack of cross-cultural understanding ⇒ By studying abroad in Australia’s multicultural society, students will deepen their understanding of different cultures.

(3)Lack of practical English skills ⇒ Online and on-demand learning programs are offered to help students acquire practical English skills before their study abroad.

(4)Challenges in communicating with foreign children and elderly people ⇒ By studying abroad, students will experience the opposite perspective while benefiting from a local support system for living and learning.

Specific Initiatives to be Implemented

Planned Curriculum

KPI

Partner organizations, their roles, and areas of cooperation