Colleges in Japan
The technical and Vocational sector in Japan includes the junior colleges (tanki daigaku). Colleges of technology in Japan (koto senmon gakko), specialized training colleges (senshu gakko), vocational training centers and colleges and skill development center also offer Tertiary-level training
Junior colleges in Japan have two-year specialized training programs in a wide range of areas. The most common fields of study are education, home economics, humanities, social sciences and nursing. Nursing programs are of three years in duration. There are also a wide range of programs in the arts, agriculture and engineering.
In Japan, more than 90% of junior college students are female, as compared to the four-year colleges and universities, which are predominantly male. However, over the last 10 years, the number of women entering four-degree programs has risen from 775,000 to 1,100,100. Many colleges in Japan grant specialized certification in fields such as dentistry, nursing and child care. Employers in these areas are, however, increasingly searching for employees with university degrees.
Students who successfully complete a two- or three-year program are awarded the Junior College Certification of Graduation or Associate Degree ( Tanki Daigaku Shuryo Shosho). This is generally considered a terminal qualification, although junior college graduates are also eligible to take the national university entrance examination.
Those who have completed upper secondary education and have passed the entrance examinations are eligible to enroll to junior college.
At colleges of Technology, enrollees are predominantly male. Most of these colleges are operated directly by the ministry as national institutions and generally teach engineering subjects. Engineering programs are of 5 years duration and are open to all students who have completed nine years of school education and have passed the competitive examinations. Graduates from upper secondary schools are eligible to join the program in the fourth year.
Programs in colleges of Technology in Japan offer both theoretical and practical training in skills of immediate use to employers. Graduates of the five- year program are given the Technical College Graduation Diploma and are considered to be trained technicians. Students who have completed three years of the program are awarded a certification of completion (Shuryo Shomei) and are eligible to transfer to relevant university programs at the third year level.
Japan also have Specialized training colleges that offer one- to three-year employment- related programs to graduates from either lower or upper secondary education. Most programs are offered at the postsecondary level. Graduates from these three- year programs at the upper secondary level are awarded the Special Training School Advanced Course Certificate of Completion (Koto-ka Sotsugyo Manjo). Those graduating from the postsecondary ?level programs are awarded a similar Certificate of Completin (Senshu Gakko Senmon-ka Shuryp Shosho).
