65 youths to train in Japan

PADANG, West Sumatra: Sixty-five local high school graduates will join a three-year apprenticeship program in Nagoya and Tokyo, Antara said.

Herman Ramli, in charge of training and productivity at the West Sumatra Manpower Office, said here on Saturday the youths would be placed at various industrial, construction and public works companies.

While in Japan, he added, the students would receive allowances amounting to 80,000 yen per month for the first year, 100,000 yen for the second year and 100,000 yen for the third year.

"In the second year, the participants will be entitled to overtime and leave according to the regulations of the companies where they have been assigned," he said.

Before their departure to Japan, the participants will be given a two-month special course in Jakarta which includes classes on Japanese language and culture.

In previous programs, about 10 percent of the participants in Japan illegally withdrew from their training because of offers from brokers for other, better paid jobs.

"Ten percent were sent home for violating their contracts, while others because of illness," Herman said.

Another 80 trainees will be recruited for the January 1999 departure.