On Friday 19th September JLGC held a reception in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan welcoming back former JETs, their contracts in Japan finishing in August 2014, at the magnificent venue of Asia House in London’s West End. About 100 guest attending the reception including guests from the Japanese community and Japan related organisations in the UK who heard from various guests about the importance of JET to UK – Japan relations, including Minister Plenipotentiary at the Embassy of Japan to the UK Mr. Hidkei Asari, Chairman of the Japan Society and former UK Ambassador to Japan Sir David Warren KCMG.
During the day prior to the reception, JETAA UK, the network for alumni of the Programme, to further the cause of Anglo-Japanese relations in the UK, held a Career’s Seminar at the same venue to support JETs in the UK use their Japan experiences professionally. This event was attended by 60 ex-JETs, some of whom were recent returnees looking to find out more about post JET opportunities in the UK. The panelists were made up of JETAA members from a variety of industries sharing their experiences, insights and time to discuss topics such as; working for Japanese companies, using recruitment consultants, networking, effective CV writing, interview skills, using social media, accessing graduate training programmes, internships and staying in touch with Japan through related organisations in the UK.
At the reception Sarah Parsons Chair of JETAA UK encouraged the gathered audience to support Japan related careers, in order to strengthen economic links between the two countries. JETAA have a range of career supporting activities such as a mentoring system of ex JETs in various sectors who can counsel the newly returned from Japan about getting into particular careers, as well as those who have been back a while looking for a change. Other activities include a series of career events sponsored and hosted by partner organisations in different sectors, providing information about internships and training, and an maintains an online database of Japan related employment opportunities.
While in Japan, JET participants are placed with a local authority which is their employer. Participants sign a one-year contract, which can be renewed up to four times, for a maximum of five years. Many JETs return to the UK with skills and experiences valuable to UK organisations, whether private or public sector, looking to strengthen links with Japan, or enter the Japanese market.
Since the start of the programme over 10,000 UK participants have taken part, with nearly 6,000 registered with the alumni association. In recent years the alumni association has been particularly active in looking for new partners, for the support of JET alumni in Japan related careers as well as others. JETAA is currently looking for mentors, internships, speakers at events, and opportunities for using the alumni network.
This year 156 UK JETs took off for Japan at the end of August, to work in schools and city halls throughout Japan. JETs are offered an initial 1 year contract, potentially renewable up to five years. For more information see here
