Sarah Parsons, chair of JETAA UK, gives an insight into why JET participants (Japanese government funded international links, employing UK graduates as local government officers and teachers) could have an attractive offer for UK companies in this market.
At a recent Japan related business seminar, featuring two ex-JETs on the panel and five others in the audience, we were described as “Japan’s secret ninjas” by Derbyshire County Council Counsellor Joan Dixon, a very apt description indeed. The very nature of the JET Programme and the expectations placed on its participants gives JETs very intense and unique experiences on a grassroots level based not only on teaching but on a deeper involvement in their local communities in Japan.
These experiences for most participants have been positive and indeed life-changing and have given them great insights into Japanese life. It is no surprise that many JETs want to carry on promoting and developing further social, cultural, educational and economic links between their home country and Japan once they return home. The JET programme has in effect created an incredible PR machine for Japan but also a great talent pool for British businesses dealing with Japan.
I have met and spoken to numerous ex-Jets who are using their Japan related experiences at a very high level professionally and who are incredibly eager to attend Japan related events, talk about Japan and share their experiences. With the current emphasis in Japan on economic resurgence, globilisation, womenomics and of course the 2020 Olympics, ex-JETs are perfectly placed to play an important part in these developments. There are also lots of JETs, especially those still on the programme, who really want to work in Japan related careers but lack the guidance or feel they don’t have the opportunities to do this.
I recently spoke at a JET returners’ conference in Yokohama and the enthusiasm to carry on working with Japan was very evident and needs to be harnessed to everyone’s benefit. JETAA UK is hoping to facilitate this by organising professional networking events nationwide, rolling out a mentoring programme and linking into Japan related businesses across all the regions of the UK who may want to offer internships or speak at/host seminars for our members to attend. There really is an incredible pool of talent out there with in-depth knowledge of and a passion for Japan.
If you would like to find out more about how your company can link in with JETAA UK, please contact me, Sarah Parsons, on chair@jetaa.org.uk
Sarah Parsons is the Chair of the JET Alumni Association UK.
JET Programme
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is an official Japanese Government funded scheme, managed in Japan by JLGC’s HQ, the Council of Local Authorities on International Relations, aiming to improve foreign language teaching in schools and to promote international understanding. The Programme was established in 1987, with 848 participants from four countries. Since then, the number of participants has increased significantly, with around 4,400 graduates from 40 different countries on the Programme in 2013. In 2010, around 190 ALTs and 4 CIRs were selected from the United Kingdom, and early 10,000 UK graduates have taken part in 25 years. (Source http://www.jet-uk.org/aboutjet/index.php)
JETAA
JETAA UK is the Alumni Association in the UK and is run through a National Committee of volunteers and with local chapters. We are supported by the Japan Local Government Centre and the Embassy of Japan and we also engage with many other Japan related organisations both on a local, national and international level. The aim of JETAA UK is to facilitate cultural, educational, social and economic links between the UK and Japan and to offer a support network to our members once they leave Japan.
For more information about JETAA UK, please visit www.jetaa.org.uk
