Recruitment Begins for Paid Internship "IT Engineer Career Creation Program" Targeting Students and Recent Graduates with Disabilities ~Supporting Career Formation and Employment through "Onboarding," "Training," and "Practice"~
Paid internship for IT engineers targeting individuals with disabilities begins.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56 (3h 56m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 09:25 (394h 29m after Collected)
Nihon Research Institute, Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Jun Uchikawa, hereinafter "NRI"), Mynavi Partners Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yu Fujimoto, hereinafter "Mynavi Partners"), and Encourage Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; Representative Director: Takashi Kubo, hereinafter "Encourage") announced today, March 30th, the commencement of recruitment for participants in the "IT Engineer Career Creation Program" (hereinafter referred to as "this internship"), a training-oriented paid internship program for students and recent graduates with disabilities. The program is scheduled to launch at NRI in August 2026.
Background and Objectives of This Internship
In recent years, the number of employed individuals with disabilities has been on an increasing trend. However, a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Note 1) indicates that over 60% of companies perceive challenges in employing people with disabilities, with the most frequently cited issue being the creation of suitable job roles, such as "whether appropriate work exists within the company." Furthermore, when looking at industries, the "Information and Communications" sector, which requires advanced expertise, has an actual employment rate of 2.06%, significantly lower than the overall average of 2.41% (Note 2), highlighting the current reality where individuals with disabilities are not fully provided with opportunities to thrive.
In light of these circumstances, the three companies have launched this internship with the aim of supporting the career development of individuals with disabilities as IT engineers and expanding their employment opportunities. Their conviction is that "even students and recent graduates with disabilities who are new to IT can take a step towards becoming engineers who support Japan's financial infrastructure, provided they are genuinely committed to becoming IT engineers."
Overview of This Internship
This internship is a training-oriented paid internship program designed to equip students and recent graduates with disabilities, who are new to IT, with the foundational skills necessary to succeed as engineers. Over approximately six months, participants will accumulate learning and practical experience through three stages: "Onboarding," "Training," and "Practice." A key feature is the comprehensive learning that includes not only the fundamentals of IT and business required for IT careers but also self-care and other essential skills.
Participants will acquire the basics of IT roles at NRI, a core IT company within the SMBC Group, while receiving understanding and support tailored for individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, from the middle of the program, participants will receive a salary and gain experience in tasks closely resembling actual work. Following this internship, NRI will consider the possibility of offering full-time employment to participants.
・Program Period: Weekdays, 4 days a week, from August 2026 to late February 2027 (up to approximately 6-7 months)
・Location: Nihon Research Institute Tokyo Headquarters (Osaki Forest Building, 2-18-1 Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo)
・Eligibility: Individuals who will graduate or complete their studies (including Master's and Doctoral programs) from vocational schools, junior colleges, higher technical colleges, or universities by the end of March 2027, and who possess or are applying for a disability certificate.
※Individuals with or without prior work experience are welcome to apply.
・Program Structure:
【Phase 1: Introduction Seminar (August - September 2026)】
This is a preparatory period before starting IT learning, focusing on deepening understanding of disabilities and self-awareness, and learning the basics of being a professional and the financial/IT industries. It is an onboarding phase to establish a basic attitude towards daily life, learning, and work, and to cultivate the "ability to continue learning."
【Phase 2: First Half Internship (October 2026 - January 2027)】
Systematic learning from the basics of programming to practical development methods at Nihon
FAQ
What is the "IT Engineer Career Creation Program"?
It is a training-oriented paid internship program designed for students and recent graduates with disabilities who are new to IT. It aims to support their career development and employment as IT engineers through a structured curriculum of onboarding, training, and practical experience over approximately six months.
Who is eligible to apply for this internship?
Eligibility includes students and recent graduates (including Master's and Doctoral candidates) from vocational schools, junior colleges, higher technical colleges, or universities who will graduate by the end of March 2027, and who possess or are applying for a disability certificate. Prior work experience is not a requirement.
What is the duration and schedule of the internship?
The program runs for approximately 6 to 7 months, from August 2026 to late February 2027, with participants attending weekdays, 4 days a week.
What are the main components of the program?
The program consists of three phases: Phase 1 (August-September 2026) is an Introduction Seminar focusing on onboarding, self-understanding, and basic professional/industry knowledge. Phase 2 (October 2026-January 2027) is the first half of the internship involving systematic IT training. Phase 3 (details not fully provided in the excerpt) would likely involve further practical application and potentially job placement.
Will participants receive a salary?
Yes, participants will receive a salary from the middle of the program when they begin engaging in tasks closely resembling actual work.
Is there a possibility of full-time employment after the internship?
Yes, Nihon Research Institute (NRI) will consider offering full-time employment to participants who successfully complete the internship.