A recruitment event for the graduates of a Japanese-style technical college was held in Mongolia. It’s part of a bid to tackle an acute shortage of engineers in Japan’s manufacturing sector.

Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward had earlier invited students of the Mongolian college to experience what it’s like to work at manufacturing plants in Japan. Now, it’s stepping up measures to attract the college’s first graduates, who are leaving school this year.

Officials and business owners of the ward will visit Mongolia later this month to hold the recruitment event for this year’s graduates. They’re also planning a briefing session for next year’s graduates. They’ll help the graduates who land jobs in Shinagawa to file residential and other papers at the ward office, and provide courses on Japanese business customs.The support plan includes helping businesses apply for the students’ visa.

Japanese-style technical colleges aim to produce engineers at the ready by providing practical training.

Officials hope that the graduates will have an immediate positive impact on manufacturers and help solve the engineer shortage in Japan.