The 2013 Osaka Jikei Career Fair for students seeking careers in the health care and social welfare industries at hospitals, social welfare facilities, and related organizations was held at Osaka-Jo Hall in Chuo ward on Monday, May 13.

The event (sponsored by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, the Asahi Shimbun, the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, and Fuji Sankei Business i) welcomed more than 200 health care corporations, social welfare corporations, and companies, exceeding last year’s event by a wide margin, and attracted approximately 3500 student participants.

This year’s event marked the 9th year of the annual Osaka Jikei Career Fair. The number of participating corporations and students has risen each year, with employers rising by 40 companies over last year and student participants increasing by approximately 500 as well, making this year’s career fair the largest ever held by the Osaka Jikei Group.

Over 200 public and private hospitals, social welfare corporations, inspection bodies, companies, and other organizations from Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, and Shiga Prefectures as well as Tokyo set up booths in the Osaka-Jo Hall. Student job seekers wearing dark suits and large name tags visited booth after booth.

Participating students included students from Osaka Jikei Group-affiliated colleges Osaka College of Medical Technology, Osaka College of High Technology, Osaka College of Health and Welfare, Osaka College of Health and Nursing, Osaka College of Medical and Welfare along with students from sister school Kobe College of Medical Health and other universities.

Chairperson Ukifune speaks at the opening ceremony.

Students listening intently as potential employers talk about their companies.

Future employers used projectors, iPads, and other multimedia to stand out.

Recruiters at each booth, using projectors, iPads, and other devices, spoke with student job seekers carefully and thoughtfully about their organization’s management philosophy, what sets them apart from other institutions, benefits, and working conditions. Students peppered recruiters with questions covering topics such as work attitude, working shifts, and details about the job

Industry seminars were also held in seminar rooms set up in each corner of the event hall where large numbers of students listened to talks covering topics such as “The Current State of the Health Care Industry and the Health Care Professionals Industry Needs” (NIPRO), “What Kind of Medical Professionals Does Ophthalmology Want?” (Fujimoto Eye Clinic), “Have Fun Learning the Basics of Professional Etiquette” (JESC), and “The Kinds of Professionals the Fitness Industry Needs” (Fitness 21 Foundation).

Recruiting Banners make an appearance.

Recruiters from hospitals and social welfare facilities planned for construction.

A special lecture entitled “The Current Job Market for Young People: Improving Skills and Promoting Employment for Young People” was given by Seiji Tanaka, the General Affairs Manager of the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training in the sub hall.

“The demand for professionals in the fields of health care and social welfare will undoubtedly continue over the next 20 to 30 years,” Tanaka said to the crowd of current students and their parents and guardians listening intently. “In the coming years, emphasis will be placed on balancing work with home life. For this reason, lifelong learning and brushing up on work skills will be essential.”

Osaka Jikei students line up to donate blood.

Special lecture titled “The Current Job Market for Young People” given by Seiji Tanaka, General Affairs Manager of the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training.

Job search roundtable discussion with graduates working in the health care and social welfare fields.

Later a graduate of the Osaka Jikei Gakuen School Corporation then took the podium and then a round-table discussion was held, chaired by Mr. Nakamichi, head of the teaching department at Osaka College of Medical Technology. Participants discussed topics such as personal job hunting experiences, the kinds of professionals hospitals are seeking, and whether students can make better use of what they learn at school.

Students and guardians also heard instructive talks from active professionals, including a medical laboratory technician with over 30 years of experience working in human resources, as well as 8 specialists, all with between 2 and 7 years of experience, including a medical clerk, clinical engineering technician, biotechnology researcher, nurse, case worker, physical therapist, and speech therapist.

The career fair was a resounding success, with thought-provoking seminars, stimulating presentations, and a level of industry participation achieved only at the Jikei Group.