Songpa-gu Implements 'Youth Employment Internship Program' Providing 5.4 Million Won Per Person

When Hiring Unemployed Youth as Interns at SMEs, Support Up to 5.4 Million KRW per Person for 6 Months... Last Year's Youth Employment Internship Program Regular Employment Conversion Rate 81%

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is implementing the ‘Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Youth Employment Internship Program,’ which provides employment opportunities for youth and alleviates financial burdens for SMEs.

The ‘SME Youth Employment Internship Program’ is a system that supports up to 5.4 million KRW per person for up to six months when SMEs hire unemployed youth as interns.

Last year, the district implemented the ‘SME Youth Employment Internship Program’ for the first time, and among 16 participating companies, 13 companies ultimately hired 13 youths as regular employees, showing an 81% conversion rate.

This year, companies will be recruited until March 13, and after a screening process, 15 companies will be selected. Any SME located in Songpa-gu with five or more regular employees and plans to hire regular employees can apply. However, startups utilizing ICT and other technical patents, youth startup companies, venture companies, and companies in the cultural content industry are eligible even if they have fewer than five employees.

Selected companies will receive support of 800,000 KRW per person per month for three months as intern wages. Upon conversion to regular employment, an additional 1 million KRW per month will be supported for another three months.

Companies wishing to participate can refer to the announcement on the Songpa-gu website (http://www.songpa.go.kr) and visit the Job Policy Division on the 8th floor of the district office (☎2147-4910) or submit applications via email (skando@songpa.go.kr).

Internship eligibility is for unemployed youth aged 15 to 34 residing in Songpa-gu. If registered with the Songpa Job Center or Munjeong Biz Valley Job Hub Center, they can receive matching services with selected SMEs.

Additionally, the district continuously holds job fairs, employment lectures, operates the Songpa Job Cafe, and AI/VR interview experience centers to provide customized employment connections between youth and SMEs facing difficulties due to lack of information.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “In last year’s public opinion survey, ‘jobs (31.4%)’ was chosen as the top priority area for this year, and 40.2% responded that ‘youth employment support’ should be the focus. Moving forward, we will actively operate various employment support programs along with wage support to help youth reduce trial and error in the job-seeking process and become a breakthrough for youth employment difficulties.”