The construction industry which is suffering from serious labor shortage is looking to hiring more high school graduates. 17,000 newly-graduates entered the workforce last year, which was the largest number in ten years. Some 20,000 spots, increasing 64.1% from a year earlier, are open to be filled with class of 2015 high school students. This may reflect the tendency that the construction companies are making efforts in development of future talents. An official of the labor ministry pointed out that medium and small sized firms turn their eyes on high schoolers as they find difficulties in recruiting skilled worker.

16,813 high school graduates started their carriers in the industry this year, 6.9% more from the previous year, according to the data of the education ministry. The largest number since 2005 is considered to stem from factors such as improving business outlook, rising wage level and improved employment in the localities. (2014/08/18)