What Is Trial Employment? A Complete Guide to the System, Requirements, and How It Differs from Otameshi Tenshoku
"I've heard of Trial Employment, but what exactly is it?" "How is it different from Otameshi Tenshoku?" — Many people have these questions. Trial Employment is a public program led by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and Hello Work (public employment service) designed to help job seekers who face difficulty finding employment match with employers.
This article thoroughly explains the Trial Employment system — its structure, eligibility requirements, subsidy amounts — and how it differs from private-sector services like Otameshi Tenshoku. It's useful for both job seekers in the middle of career transitions and hiring managers considering the program.
Trial Employment is a system where companies hire job seekers — who struggle to find work due to lack of experience or prolonged unemployment — on a fixed-term contract of up to three months as a "trial." It is facilitated through referrals from Hello Work, and if both the employer and job seeker agree after the trial period, the arrangement transitions to permanent employment.
According to MHLW data, approximately 80% of workers who complete trial employment transition to permanent positions, demonstrating the program's strong track record. Additionally, companies that meet certain criteria receive government subsidies, which helps reduce overall hiring costs.
There are specific eligibility conditions for job seekers applying for Trial Employment. You don't need to meet all conditions simultaneously — qualifying under any one of them makes you eligible.
As prerequisites, you must be registered as a job seeker at Hello Work, seeking permanent employment of 30+ hours per week, and understand and consent to the Trial Employment program. Beyond that, you must meet at least one of the following criteria.
Eligible individuals include: those who have changed jobs or been dismissed two or more times within the past two years; those unemployed for over one year; those who left work due to pregnancy, childbirth, or childcare and have been without stable employment for over one year; those under 60 receiving individual support from Hello Work; and those requiring special consideration such as welfare recipients, single parents, day laborers, or homeless individuals.
Employers must also meet certain requirements: they must have submitted a Trial Employment job listing through Hello Work, the position must not be for temporary staffing, and the company must have no legal violations. The arrangement must be genuinely a "trial" with no pre-existing promise of permanent employment, and the candidate must not be a relative within three degrees of the employer.
Under the General Trial Course, employers receive up to ¥40,000 per month per worker for up to three months — a maximum of ¥120,000 per hire. For single mothers or single fathers, the amount increases to up to ¥50,000 per month (maximum ¥150,000).
The Disability Trial Course provides up to ¥40,000 per month. For individuals with mental health disabilities, the first three months are subsidized at up to ¥80,000 per month, followed by ¥40,000 per month for the next three months — a more generous structure.
The Trial Employment process follows five steps. First, submit a Trial Employment job listing to Hello Work and interview referred candidates. Next, begin the trial employment period (typically three months) and submit the "Trial Employment Implementation Plan" to Hello Work within two weeks of the start date. After the trial period ends, decide on permanent hiring. Finally, submit the "Subsidy Application Form" within two months of the trial end date to receive the subsidy.
Trial Employment is often confused with probation periods. While both are mechanisms to assess fit before permanent hiring, they are fundamentally different.
A probation period is set independently by the company and is part of a permanent employment contract. It typically lasts one to six months, and terminating someone during this period requires "objectively reasonable grounds." In contrast, Trial Employment is a public program led by Hello Work with a fixed three-month period. There is no obligation to offer permanent employment afterward, and ending the arrangement doesn't carry the same high legal threshold as termination during probation. Furthermore, Trial Employment comes with government subsidies — probation periods do not.
The increasingly popular "Otameshi Tenshoku" (trial job change) service is also fundamentally different from Trial Employment. Understanding these differences is crucial for choosing the right career transition method.
Trial Employment is a public program operated by MHLW/Hello Work and involves a formal employment contract. Wages are paid and labor laws apply. Otameshi Tenshoku is a private-sector service where workplace experiences are typically conducted as side jobs or contract work, and generally do not involve a formal employment contract.
Trial Employment is limited to those facing employment difficulties (long-term unemployed, single parents, people with disabilities, etc.) — it's not open to everyone. Otameshi Tenshoku has no specific eligibility requirements, and even currently employed individuals can participate casually as a side project.
Trial Employment runs for a fixed three-month period with full-time work and standard wages. Otameshi Tenshoku is flexible — from one day to several months — and compensation varies by project. Some experiences may be unpaid, while others offer contract fees.
Since Trial Employment is a full-time fixed-term contract, you generally need to leave your current job before participating. Otameshi Tenshoku allows weekend-only or part-time participation, making it possible to explore new opportunities while keeping your current job — a major advantage for minimizing risk.
The biggest advantage is being able to apply even without experience in the role and gain skills through actual work. Since the process starts with an interview (no document screening), it's accessible even for those with gaps in their employment history. The three-month work experience lets you confirm workplace culture and job fit before committing to permanent employment, significantly reducing the risk of post-hire mismatches.
The biggest risk is that permanent hiring is not guaranteed after the trial period. If you're not retained, a short three-month stint remains on your resume. There have also been reports of a small number of companies repeatedly using Trial Employment for subsidy purposes without intending to hire permanently. It's advisable to check the company's past hiring record and reviews before applying.
Employers can assess candidate suitability through three months of actual work, preventing hiring mismatches. Since candidates are referred through Hello Work, there are no job advertising costs, and the subsidy further reduces overall hiring expenses. No changes to company regulations are required, and the administrative process is relatively straightforward.
Wages must be paid during the trial period, and training/onboarding costs apply. Missing document submission deadlines (Implementation Plan within 2 weeks, Subsidy Application within 2 months) means losing the subsidy. The limited eligibility criteria also mean that the available candidates may not always match the company's hiring needs.
There are several Trial Employment courses, each with different target participants and subsidy amounts.
The "General Trial Course" is the most common, targeting job seekers lacking experience or skills. The subsidy is up to ¥40,000/month (¥50,000 for single parents) for up to three months.
The "Disability Trial Course" targets persons with disabilities. For those with mental health conditions, the trial can extend up to 12 months, with the first three months subsidized at up to ¥80,000/month. Telework arrangements allow extensions up to six months.
There is also a "Short-Time Disability Trial Course" for positions with fewer than 20 hours per week. Choosing the right course for your situation is key to making the most of the program.
Finding Trial Employment listings is straightforward. On the Hello Work Internet Service job search page, open the "Advanced Search" options and check the "Trial Employment" filter. You can also type "Trial Employment" in the keyword field.
Alternatively, visiting your local Hello Work office for an in-person consultation can help you find listings that match your skills and experience. If you're interested in Trial Employment, start by visiting your nearest Hello Work office.
Yes, you can. Trial Employment is a fixed-term employment contract, so voluntary resignation is permitted. However, since early departure may affect the employer's subsidy, it's best to discuss your concerns with the company early on.
If permanent employment is not offered after the trial period, the contract simply ends. You can then resume job-seeking activities through Hello Work and apply for other Trial Employment positions.
There's no regulatory prohibition, but since Trial Employment requires full-time work, simultaneously participating in Otameshi Tenshoku (a side-job format) is practically difficult in most cases. The important thing is to first determine which system best fits your situation.
Trial Employment is a public trial-hiring program led by Hello Work that provides a valuable pathway for those facing employment difficulties to gain work experience while aiming for permanent positions. For employers, it offers the benefit of reducing hiring mismatches while utilizing government subsidies.
On the other hand, for those currently employed or who don't meet the specific eligibility criteria, Otameshi Tenshoku — a side-job/contract-based trial experience — may be a better fit. It allows you to explore multiple companies without leaving your current job, making it a strong option for those who want to minimize career transition risk.
What matters most is choosing the method that aligns with your situation and career goals. By understanding the differences between public programs and private services, you can proceed with your career transition with confidence.
A comprehensive guide to Japan's temp-to-perm (Shokai Yotei Haken) system: how it works, differences from regular staffi...
A clear explanation of probation periods: typical duration, legal status, salary, social insurance, and dismissal rules....
A comprehensive guide to preventing your employer from discovering your side job. Covers switching to ordinary collectio...
