In autumn, your school/BOE should give you a form with the title “JET Programme Re-contracting Procedures.” This is the form that you use to indicate if you want to recontract, apply for a transfer, or apply for a type-change. If you want to apply for a transfer and you haven’t received this form, talk to your go-between or email the PA at hyogo.pa@gmail.com.
When do I have to decide on recontracting?
All Senior High School ALTs will be tentatively asked if you wish to renew into a second year in December. This is to give CLAIR an idea of numbers, and also to make you start thinking about it.
Junior High School ALTs – you may be asked to think about it in December, with a final confirmation by February.
Senior High School ALTs – In December, if you say no, then that will be your final decision, whereas if you say yes, you can change your mind later.
In December, if you are not 100% sure you will not recontract, please indicate that you are not sure. You will be asked for your final decision in February. If you eventually decide not to renew, your contracting organization may not like that decision, but it is in your and their best interests to be honest with them. Explain why you are not renewing. If you just say you will stay, and then drop out last minute, that may mean that your school will not get a JET in the following year.
Can I change my mind after deciding not to recontract?
If you decide not to recontract and then try to change your decision, this usually will not be possible. In January, Hyogo BOE sends the numbers of new JETs required to CLAIR. Once this has happened, the numbers (and your decision to stay) can’t be changed.
How many times can I recontract?
In the past, JETs in Hyogo have only been able to recontract two more times (working on JET for a total of three years). As of 2007, JETs that are deemed to have exceptional work performance, experience, and ability will be allowed to recontract an extra two more times (enabling that JET to stay for a total of five years). This is only applicable to certain contracting organizations.
If you wish to recontract past your third year, you must obtain a letter of recommendation from your school principal.
Can my school choose not to recontract me?
Yes. The contract requires mutual agreement – regardless of the decision that you make, your renewal is still dependent on whether your host institution wants to recontract with you or not. FYI, your host institution will evaluate your job performance at some point, usually in January.
I like JET, but I want to get a transfer.
Unless you get married, need to live near a hospital that can provide a certain treatment that you can’t get where you live, or your position will be cut next year due to funding, you will probably not qualify for a transfer within Hyogo Prefecture. Inter-prefectural transfers are even harder.
If you do qualify, the deadline for an inter-prefectural transfer is usually in November, and the deadline for a transfer within the prefecture is usually in December. Also, no matter what your circumstances are, a transfer is never guaranteed.
Are there any reasons that are always turned down?
Yes, and we can almost guarantee that you will not get a transfer if you want…
- to study Japanese culture/language somewhere.
- to live near a good friend.
- it because was your original request when you applied for the JET Programme.
- it because your abilities are being under-utilized at your current job.
What about changing from ALT to CIR vice-versa?
This is more of an ESID thing, where if a CIR/ALT is planning on leaving, the city might find it more favourable (and if you meet the certain requirements, especially for the CIR role) to hire you on instead of requesting for a new JET. However they can also completely disregard this and go through the normal process. So ask around as it doesn’t hurt your chances on doing so. This also does reset the number of years you are on JET (i.e. you’re a 5th Year ALT going to 1st Year CIR).
