- Partnerships
TOKYO - March 3, 2025 — Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) and its Pearson VUE business, the global leader in computer-based testing for high-stakes certification and licensure exams, today announced an agreement with Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) — a ship and automobile classification society, to provide new specified skilled worker tests. The new strategic partnership comes as Pearson expands its role in Japan’s national Specified Skilled Worker program.
ClassNK offers a broad range of services ensuring the safety of life and property at sea and protection of the marine environment. The internationally recognized third-party certification body delivers a number of credentials for quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety management systems in accordance with international standards. Through its collaboration with Pearson VUE, ClassNK will significantly scale up testing across key geographies in the Specified Skilled Worker Memorandum of Cooperation (SSWMOC).
The program, established by the Japanese government in 2019 to address labor shortages across a range of technical disciplines, was broadened to include skilled workers from the automotive transportation sector last year.
Since its launch, the number of professionals from overseas working in Japan with a “specified skilled worker” visa has risen sharply. Increasing access to high-quality certifications will be a key driver in reaching the government’s latest target of 820,000 Specified Skilled Workers over the next five years.
‘‘In implementing the specified skills worker test, it is necessary to create an environment in which more candidates can take the test fairly and smoothly. Introducing computer-based testing through Pearson VUE’s global test center network will provide a more professional, and practical setting for the implementation of the new Skilled Workers tests,’’ explained a representative from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK).
Beginning March 3, candidates will be able to schedule new automotive transport exams, which will be delivered across Pearson VUE’s extensive global testing locations. Delivery will initially start in Japan — before being rolled out in SSWMOC countries as testing is implemented in these geographies. Candidates will then be able to schedule and take computer-based tests at their convenience for the first time — as ClassNK transitions its specific skill test format over to computer-based testing (CBT).
‘’Japan is paving the way for international job seekers, and we’re committed to collaborating with ClassNK in certifying new skilled maritime and automotive transportation workers — to support the government in its strategic aims of fuelling long-term economic growth,’’ said Shunsuke Mitsudome, Director of Business Development, Pearson VUE Japan.
An additional six exams for the shipbuilding and ship machinery industry will be launched later in 2025 with CBT. Candidates may begin scheduling the following automotive transportation exams immediately:
- Automobile transportation business field Specified Skilled Worker (i) test (Motor truck drivers)
- Automobile transportation business field Specified Skilled Worker (i) test (Taxi drivers)
- Automobile transportation business field Specified Skilled Worker (i) test (Bus drivers)
For more information, please visit: https://sswt-portal.classnk.or.jp/ or to register for an exam, please visit: https://sswt.classnk.or.jp/login
About Pearson VUE
Pearson VUE has been a pioneer in the computer-based testing industry for decades, delivering close to 21 million certification and licensure exams annually in every industry from academia and admissions to IT and healthcare. We are the global leader in developing and delivering high-stakes exams via the world's most comprehensive network of nearly 20,000 highly secure test centers as well as online testing across more than 180 countries. Our leadership in the assessment industry is a result of our collaborative partnerships with a broad range of clients, from leading technology firms to government and regulatory agencies. For more information, please visit PearsonVUE.com. Pearson (NYSE: PSO; LSE: PSON).
About Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK)
ClassNK is an international classification society dedicated to ensuring maritime safety and protecting the marine environment. The organization establishes rules and carries out surveys of vessels from a neutral, third-party standpoint, registering a "class" that is essential for commercial ships to obtain insurance coverage.
With a 120-year legacy and 130 offices in 58 countries worldwide, ClassNK has registered more than 9,000 vessels — making it the world’s largest classification society in terms of the number of registered vessels as of January 2025 (according to CLARKSONS RESEARCH statistics). The society is also authorized by over 100 flag administrations to conduct surveys and issue certificates based on international conventions and regional regulations.
Utilizing its decades of knowledge and experience as a third-party certification body, ClassNK is expanding its certification areas to various management systems including quality, environment, occupational safety and health. For more information, visit https://www.classnk.or.jp/