As Japan grapples with an intensifying workforce crisis—projected to reach a staggering shortfall of 6.4 million workers by 2030—the need for innovative, ethical, and scalable talent solutions has never been more urgent. With key sectors such as caregiving, hospitality, construction, and engineering at the heart of this shortage, the nation is seeking global partners to bridge the widening talent gap.
Enter TERN Group, a rising force in India’s international mobility ecosystem. At the heart of TERN’s mission lies a powerful idea: to channel India’s demographic dividend toward global opportunities, while creating a responsible and future-ready talent pipeline for countries like Japan. Their approach goes far beyond traditional recruitment—TERN is pioneering a new model of workforce mobility that prioritizes cultural fluency, ethical migration, and long-term ecosystem building.
A Vision Shaped by Experience
TERN’s unique approach is grounded in the lived experiences of its CEO, Mr. Avinav Nigam, who spent his early career at Procter & Gamble Japan. His time there gave him deep insight into what enables international professionals to not just survive—but truly thrive—in Japanese workplaces. Beyond language skills, it’s the subtle nuances of cultural behavior, hierarchy, teamwork, and professionalism that determine long-term success.
Guided by this insight, TERN has built a Japan-specific mobility model that addresses the full lifecycle of migration: from candidate discovery and skill training to placement, compliance, and post-deployment support.
Not Just a Manpower Agency – A Full-Stack Solution
TERN is redefining what talent mobility looks like through a tech-powered, end-to-end platform. This digital ecosystem streamlines the hiring journey for Japanese employers while ensuring Indian candidates are comprehensively prepared.
Employers using TERN’s platform can:
- Access a pre-vetted pool of Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and engineering candidates
- Conduct AI-based interviews and screening
- Watch pre-recorded introduction videos for deeper insights into personality and communication skills
- Select talent 3x faster, from a broader and higher-quality database
Additional features include:
- Digital onboarding and real-time compliance checks
- Customized training modules focused on Japanese workplace etiquette and cultural expectations
- Ongoing lifecycle support to reduce dropouts and mismatches
This integration of training, technology, and transparency ensures high-quality matches and employer satisfaction at scale.
Training That Builds Long-Term Success
TERN’s model challenges the narrow assumption that language proficiency alone ensures successful migration. Instead, the organization has built a training-first approach designed to equip candidates with the soft skills, behavioral insight, and emotional intelligence needed to thrive in Japan.
The curriculum includes:
- Japanese speaking fluency and accent training, emphasizing real-life workplace conversations
- Cultural immersion covering hierarchy, etiquette, and teamwork
- Customer service and professionalism training
- Guest lectures from Indians working in Japan across nursing, hospitality, and engineering
- AI-powered language practice tools and live conversational sessions
This robust preparation has already built deep trust with Japanese employers—and high retention among candidates.
Scaling Ethically and Sustainably
TERN is not just thinking big—it’s building big. With a current talent pool of 500+ job-ready engineers and a fast-growing number of SSW candidates, TERN is now investing in in-house training centers to scale operations while maintaining quality.
Their roadmap includes:
- 500 SSW-ready candidates in FY2025
- 1,500 per year by FY2026
- 3,000+ annually from FY2027 onwards
These numbers are backed by strategic alliances with Indian universities, government initiatives, and Japanese corporations eager for reliable talent partnerships.
More Than Recruitment – An Ecosystem Builder
In a time when India is positioning itself as a global talent hub, TERN Group represents a new generation of workforce mobility organizations—those that build infrastructure, foster trust, and align national strengths with international needs.
At Connect India Japan and the Rising Bharat Conclave, TERN’s model stands out as a blueprint for ethical global entrepreneurship. Their work highlights the power of cross-border collaboration in solving real-world workforce crises while unlocking life-changing opportunities for young Indians.
As nations navigate the future of work, TERN is not just filling jobs—it’s building bridges. Through tech, training, and a deeply human approach, they are powering the next chapter of Indo-Japan collaboration—one job, one life, and one story at a time.
