Employment Support Service 'WithYou' Enters Kitakawachi Area, Opening Its 7th Branch at Keihan Hirakata-shi Station

WithYou Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka; CEO: Tomoko Gotanda) opened its 7th branch, 'Employment Transition Support WithYou Hirakata Branch,' in front of Keihan 'Hirakata-shi Station' on June 1, 2026. This marks their first facility in the Kitakawachi area.

WithYou is an employment transition support center that assists individuals with mental illness or developmental disorders in finding work. Since its establishment in 2017, it has operated six schools in Osaka City and Kobe. At the Hirakata branch, resident occupational therapists with experience in psychiatric support are available to provide assistance with health and daily life, while users can simultaneously acquire skills such as accounting, administration, web design, and video editing. Their official YouTube channel (@withyouch, approx. 14,000 subscribers) also shares accessible information on disability welfare and employment support.

■ Background: Creating an Accessible Base in the Kitakawachi/Keihan Line Area

Currently, many facilities that offer both an understanding of symptoms and practical skill training for individuals with mental illness or developmental disorders are concentrated within Osaka City.

Residents along the Keihan line and towards Kyoto/Nara, including Hirakata, Neyagawa, and Katano, have voiced that commuting to the city center is a significant burden. To accommodate these residents, the Hirakata branch was established just a one-minute walk from the station. Full transportation costs are also reimbursed.

■ Features of WithYou Hirakata Branch

[1] Specialized Support for Mental Illness with Resident Occupational Therapists
WithYou provides employment transition support tailored for individuals with mental illness. They have supported clients with backgrounds involving depression, adjustment disorders, developmental disorders, and schizophrenia. The Hirakata branch employs occupational therapists with psychiatric experience who work individually with clients to manage health fluctuations and regulate daily rhythms, emphasizing not just getting a job, but sustaining it.

[2] From Accounting and Admin to Web Design and Video Editing
Certified public accountants, social insurance labor consultants, and administrative scriveners teach accounting and administration, while instructors with corporate and educational experience handle web design, programming, and TOEIC preparation.
- Administrative Professional Course (MOS Excel/Word, business etiquette, etc.)
- Accounting and Finance Course (Yayoi Accounting, bookkeeping, etc.)
- Web Creator and Design Course (Web design, video editing, etc.)
- IT Engineer and Programmer Course
Courses in English, bookkeeping, video editing, and cognitive behavioral therapy are also available. Both online courses and commuting courses starting from once a week are offered.

[3] Supporting Both Open and Closed Employment
Choosing whether to disclose a disability ('open employment') or not ('closed employment') varies by individual. WithYou's placement record is almost evenly split: 55% in disability-quota employment and 45% in general employment. They work together with clients to choose the best working style based on their hopes and traits.

[4] Free Transportation, Lunch, PC, and Certification Exams
As a commuting welfare service, the cost burden can hinder some from seeking employment. To ensure equal access, WithYou covers the following expenses:
- Transportation: Fully reimbursed (regardless of residence)
- Lunch: Provided for free
- PCs, textbooks, and certification exam fees: Free

[5] Professional Placement for Beginners and Return-to-Work Support
Placements include accounting firms, legal offices, IT companies, and general corporations. In addition to helping beginners aim for professional roles, they provide return-to-work support (rework) for those on a leave of absence. The rework success rate is 83.9%, with a 6-month retention rate of 87.2%.

[6] Disseminating Welfare Information via YouTube (Approx. 14,000 Subscribers)
WithYou uses its official YouTube channel (@withyouch) and SNS to explain the employment support system and share insights from the field. Providing information to those who need it is considered a crucial part of their support.

[7] 1-Minute Walk from Keihan 'Hirakata-shi Station'
Located in a building right near the station. Consultations are available even for those without a disability certificate, provided they have a doctor's certificate or a self-reliance support medical care recipient certificate.

■ WithYou's Track Record in Numbers (Cumulative since 2017)
- Cumulative job placements: 1,006 (including disability quota, general employment, and return-to-work)
- 6-month retention rate: 85.7%
- Employment type: Disability quota 55% / General employment 45%
- Rework success rate: 83.9% (Return 69.6% / Job change 14.3%)
- 6-month retention rate after rework: 87.2%
- Time to return to work: 69.6% take less than 6 months

■ Facility Manager's Comment (Tatsuki Nakajima, WithYou Hirakata Branch Manager)
'The Hirakata branch is a 1-minute walk from Keihan Hirakata-shi Station. Like our branches in Osaka City, you can learn accounting, admin, web design, and video editing. We have resident occupational therapists and staff to help prepare for interviews and documents. Whether you have health fluctuations, lack confidence, or don't know what you want to do, please consult us without hesitation.'

■ Facility Overview
- Name: Employment Transition Support WithYou Hirakata Branch
- Opening Date: June 1, 2026
- Location: 503 Hirakata Ekimae Yoshizumi Bldg, 1-8-5 Shinmachi, Hirakata City, Osaka
- Access: Within a 1-minute walk from Keihan 'Hirakata-shi Station'
- Capacity: 20 people
- Business Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00-17:00

■ Free Tours and Information Sessions Available
Free individual consultations and tours (approx. 60 minutes) are available without any obligation to enroll.