After technical training, I became a specific skilled worker! Aim to become a professional, not just for a limited period of time (Nan and Poo from Myanmar / AU BON PAIN Co., Ltd.)

[Staff Profile]

Nan and Poo (from Myanmar)

He came to Japan as a technical intern trainee and worked at a food factory for three years. After completing his training, he switched to specific skills and moved to AU BON PAIN Co., Ltd. to fulfill his dream of opening his own bakery in the future. He is currently working hard to become a professional baker!

【Company Profile】

AU BON PAIN Co., Ltd.

A bakery with its headquarters in Ishikawa Prefecture and stores in Tokyo and Kyoto.

They value traditional French bread making using naturally fermented yeast, and deliver "bread that is good for the mind and body, and that you won't get tired of eating every day."

We actively hire foreign talent who have the ambition to make bread baking their lifelong career, and provide consistent support from acquiring skills to career development.

This time, we visited Pampro Japon Kyoto, run by AU BON PAIN Co., Ltd., and spoke with Nan and Poo, who are from Myanmar!

Left) Winnie the Pooh, Right) Nan

──Please tell us why you decided to find work in Japan.

(Nan)

I grew up in a town near Yangon, Myanmar. I originally had the image of Japan as a country with a "serious national character," but as I learned about Japanese manners, rules, and working styles from the teachers I met at a Japanese language school in Myanmar, my interest in the country grew even more.

Being punctual, respecting rules, and working responsibly - I wanted to grow as a person in such an environment , which is what led me to aim for employment in Japan.

(Winnie the Pooh)

Like Nan, I was also strongly attracted to the Japanese work style and culture. In particular, I wanted to learn the skills of a baker in Japan . My dream is to open my own cafe bakery in the future. In Myanmar, the average monthly salary is low, about 30,000 yen, and there are few environments where you can properly learn skills , so I wanted to study hard in Japan and gain experience. Above all, Japanese bread is delicious and looks beautiful. I wanted to learn those skills and use them in my own shop.

──There are many bakeries in Japan, so why did you want to work at Panpro Japon Kyoto?

(Winnie the Pooh)

After completing three years of training at a food factory as a technical intern trainee, I switched to working as a specified skilled worker. While technical intern training is for a set period of time, the specified skilled worker allows me to continue working for a longer period of time . I decided to change jobs, thinking, "I want to try a job that is directly related to my dreams." My dream is to open my own bakery in the future, and I am particularly interested in French bread. French bread is Pain Pro Japon's signature product, and on top of that, I had always wanted to work in Kyoto, so I felt, "This is the place!" I am truly happy to be involved in bread making in Kyoto, a city where tradition and beauty coexist.

(Nan)

I have a similar background, first working as a technical intern at a food factory in Miyagi Prefecture for three years in 2020. After that, I wanted to learn how to make bread properly, so I started looking for a new job through the Food and Beverage Association. After joining the company, I worked at Panpro Japon Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, but one day, I was asked to transfer due to a staff shortage at the Kyoto store. I was so happy to be able to work in Kyoto, a place I had always dreamed of, and that the company needed me, that I gladly decided to transfer!

──Please tell us about your usual work duties.

(Winnie the Pooh)

I am mainly in charge of making bread, selling it in the store and working the cash register .

We particularly focus on producing our signature product, "Margaret." Dividing the dough and shaping it into beautiful shapes is all done by hand. It is difficult to maintain the same quality every time, but we value carefulness.

(Nan)

I am in charge of everything from shaping the bread to baking it .

When it comes to bread, not only taste but appearance is also important. I pay particular attention to the browning. It makes me really happy when my batard is browned to the perfect degree.

When I see customers picking up the bread I've made, it makes me want to work harder!

The most popular "Margaret"

When do you feel the joy of your work?

(Winnie the Pooh)

For me, my current job is like "training for my dream." That's why I enjoy it so much every day. It's not just my skills that need improvement; I also need to improve my Japanese. So, when I can have a smooth conversation with a customer at the register, it really motivates me. My Japanese isn't perfect yet, so I sometimes make mistakes. But one day, an elderly customer said to me with a smile, "It's okay, do your best. I'm rooting for you," and I was so happy! It's an unforgettable memory.

(Nan)

I love baking bread, so I really enjoy my work! At my current workplace, many of my colleagues share the same dream of opening their own shop, so it's reassuring to be able to consult with each other. There are two Vietnamese and seven Myanmarese people in the workplace, and we all get along well and work together. The happiest part of my job is the day when all the bread has been baked perfectly throughout the day. On days when I think, "Today is perfect!", I can really feel my own growth .

Nan-san showed us some beautifully baked products today too!

──On the other hand, when do you feel it's difficult?

(Winnie the Pooh)

Bread dough is heavy and the workload is heavy, so it can be physically demanding. Working hours start at 5am and during busy periods there are days when I have to work overtime until 5:30pm or 6pm, but on busy days the time seems to fly by.

(Nan)

Foreign employees like us may be more positive about working than Japanese people. I hear that many people in Japan find early morning commutes and overtime difficult, but we are actually grateful for the increased income and experience we get.

──Please tell us your goals/dreams for the future.

(Winnie the Pooh)

My dream is to open a restaurant that combines traditional Myanmar cuisine with bakery . Kyoto is definitely the best place to open my business. I like the traditional and relaxed atmosphere, and there are hardly any Myanmar restaurants here. That's why I want to open my own restaurant here and make it a place where I can share the techniques I learned in Japan and Myanmar culture.

(Nan)

I have been working at Au Bon Pain for a year and a half, and have worked as a Specified Skilled Worker for a total of two and a half years. The maximum period of stay for Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 is five years, so I am now just over halfway through. From now on, I would like to further deepen my skills and knowledge with the goal of obtaining Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 .

In the future, my dream is to have my own shop , just like Pooh . I'm currently 24 years old, so I'm aiming to open my own shop in Japan when I'm around 28 to 30 years old. Eventually, I'd like to return to Myanmar and pass on the skills and work styles I learned in Japan to young people .

Thank you Nan and Pooh for sharing your valuable story!

After their experiences in technical training, the two of them were admirably inspired as they advanced in their careers towards their dreams, and I was greatly encouraged by them.

I look forward to continuing to expand my opportunities as a specific skilled worker.

The Food and Beverage Association will continue to provide its full support! ^^

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The Japan Food and Beverage Association for Foreign Employment

We provide full support to companies that want to hire specific skilled personnel .

Utilizing our unique network, we provide a comprehensive service from introducing personnel to interviews, starting work, and even support for settling into employment after employment.

"We want to resolve the labor shortage."

"Even if we hire them, they leave soon after."

We will provide you with the best solutions to your concerns.

Please feel free to contact us first !