The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) entered into a strategic partnership with the Tokyo-based Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation (FVCC) on June 2, 2026, to streamline the movement of Indian professionals to Japan. This collaboration introduces the NSDC Trust’s Credibility Check framework to ensure a transparent and reliable verification process for candidates. The move is a major step toward fulfilling the bilateral goal of sending 50,000 skilled Indian workers to Japan over the next five years.
Details of the NSDC-FVCC Strategic Partnership
The collaboration between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation (FVCC) is designed to create a structured and high-integrity recruitment ecosystem. By leveraging the combined expertise of both organizations, the partnership aims to identify, train, and place Indian talent across various high-demand sectors in Japan.
This agreement focuses on ensuring that the recruitment process is not only efficient but also follows the highest standards of ethics and legality. FVCC, which specializes in global talent recruitment and is headquartered in Tokyo, will act as a primary bridge between Indian candidates and Japanese employers. The partnership will prioritize sectors where Japan faces acute labor shortages, including nursing, construction, and information technology.
The ‘Credibility Check’ Framework: Ensuring Transparency
The cornerstone of this partnership is the Credibility Check framework, managed by NSDC Trust. This framework acts as a rigorous verification layer to build trust among Japanese employers who may be hesitant to hire from overseas due to concerns over document authenticity.
The verification process includes several critical components:
- Identity and Credential Verification: Confirming the legal identity and educational qualifications of the candidate.
- Employment History: Validating past work experience to ensure the professional has the necessary skills for the role.
- Criminal Background Checks: Conducting thorough checks where permissible to ensure the safety and reliability of the workforce.
- Consistency Assessment: Ensuring that all submitted documents and certifications are consistent and free of discrepancies.
By providing Digitally Verifiable Credentials (DVCs), the NSDC Trust ensures that candidate profiles are tamper-proof and globally compatible. This “Skill Pass” reduces the administrative burden on Japanese hiring companies and significantly speeds up the visa processing time.
India-Japan Workforce Ecosystem: TITP and SSW
The partnership builds upon existing bilateral labor agreements between the two nations, specifically the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program. As of 2026, the TITP is being phased out and replaced by a more robust training-and-employment system called Ikusei Shuro or the Employment for Skill Development Program (ESDP).
Unlike the older internship model, the new ESDP system explicitly focuses on long-term human resource development for Japan. It allows workers to change employers within the same industry after a certain period, provided they meet language proficiency standards. This transition is aimed at making Japan a more attractive destination for skilled talent from countries like India.
The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program has also been expanded in 2026 to include new sectors such as Logistics, Recycling, and Linen Supply. These programs require a baseline Japanese language proficiency, typically at the JLPT N4 or N3 level, which the NSDC is actively supporting through its network of language training centers across India.
Addressing Japan’s Labor Shortage: Strategic Importance
Japan is currently facing one of the most severe labor shortages in its history due to an aging population and a shrinking workforce. To sustain its economy, Japan has turned its focus toward sourcing skilled human resources from strategic partners like India. The Indian government, under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has reciprocated by prioritizing Japan as a key destination for its overseas mobility programs.
The target of sending 50,000 skilled Indian professionals to Japan within five years is a significant component of the Human Resource Exchange Action Plan signed between the two countries in August 2025. The NSDC-FVCC partnership serves as an implementation vehicle for this plan, ensuring that the volume of migration is matched by high quality and legal compliance. For Indian professionals, this opens doors to high-paying international careers while providing Japan with the reliable workforce needed to maintain its industrial productivity.
About the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is a unique Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in India, incorporated on July 31, 2008. It was established to catalyze the skill development landscape by involving the private sector in training and capacity building.
The key features of the NSDC include:
- Nodal Ministry: It operates under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
- Ownership: The Government of India holds 49% of the share capital, while the private sector holds the remaining 51%.
- Headquarters: It is headquartered in New Delhi.
- Objective: Its primary goal is to promote skill development by creating large, quality, and for-profit vocational institutions.
The NSDC Trust, a group organization under the NSDC, is responsible for managing high-trust frameworks like the Credibility Check to facilitate the global mobility of Indian workers.
Key Takeaways
- The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) signed a strategic partnership with Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation (FVCC) on June 2, 2026.
- The partnership utilizes the Credibility Check framework provided by NSDC Trust for the transparent verification of Indian professionals.
- India and Japan have set a bilateral target to send 50,000 skilled workers to Japan over a five-year period.
- The Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) is being replaced by the Ikusei Shuro or Employment for Skill Development Program (ESDP) in 2026.
- The NSDC was established in 2008 as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and is headquartered in New Delhi.
- The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is the nodal ministry for the NSDC and oversees India-Japan skill exchange initiatives.
