Dusit Thani College signs MOU to become Thailand’s first certified testing centre for Japanese hospitality skills

Dusit Thani College, Thailand’s leading institute for hospitality education under Dusit International, has been officially certified to administer Japan’s Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test in Thailand, creating direct pathways for Thai and ASEAN talent to secure skilled positions in Japan’s hospitality sector. 

The milestone follows the signing of an agreement on 2 September 2025 between Dusit Thani College, the General Incorporated Association Center for Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test, and the All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association, with support from the Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau and Jeducation language school in Bangkok. 

As Thailand’s first certified testing centre, Dusit Thani College can now recruit and train Thai and ASEAN candidates through its renowned hospitality and culinary arts programmes and facilitate their official skills certification locally. Successful graduates will qualify for employment in Japan via the government’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, introduced in 2019 to help address labour shortages in industries such as hospitality and food and beverage. 

This initiative will enable undergraduate students and participants of Dusit Thani College’s Talent Opportunity Programme (TOP) to become job-ready for entry-level positions within just six months. It offers a comprehensive pathway for interested individuals to undergo training, gain skill certification, and access employment opportunities in Japan. 

The All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association, representing more than 15,000 traditional inns and hotels across Japan, will help promote certified candidates to member employers via dedicated job fairs hosted in Bangkok. Dusit Hotels and Resorts will also welcome graduates to its own properties in Japan, including Dusit Thani Kyoto and ASAI Kyoto Shijo, further strengthening opportunities for international placement. 

Jeducation, a leading Japanese language school in Bangkok, will provide essential language training to ensure participants meet SSW visa requirements, fully equipping them for life and work in Japan. 

“This collaboration directly addresses the hospitality skills shortage in Japan while creating exciting career opportunities for our students,” said John Lohr, Executive Director of External Affairs, Dusit Thani College. “By combining world-class training at Dusit Thani College with official certification and a clear pathway to employment, we are building a strong pipeline of talent that benefits both Thailand and Japan.” 

Makoto Yamashita, Area General Manager – Kyoto, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, added, “This partnership underscores our commitment to developing future leaders in hospitality and giving them access to life-changing opportunities abroad. It is a win–win for our students, our partners, and the wider industry.” 

Dusit Thani College will begin recruiting candidates for its TOP Japan Pathway programme in October 2025. The first examinations and employer recruitment fairs are scheduled to take place in February 2026.