Yeongdeungpo-gu Cultivates Young Architects

Yeongdeungpo Youth Architecture School Recruiting 24 Youth and 5 Startup Teams... Priority for Vulnerable Groups Including Disabled... Free Full Training in Interior Construction Such as Wallpapering and Tiling with Employment and Startup Support... 480 Hours Over 5 Days a Week from 3.23 to 7.31 to Train Skilled Workers in Architecture... Applications Open Until 3.10

Young adults from Yeongdeungpo-gu participating in the interior architecture and interior design course recruited by Yeongdeungpo Youth Architecture School last year, currently engaged in practical training.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) is recruiting talent to participate in the ‘Youth Architect Development and Startup Support’ project at Yeongdeungpo Youth Architecture School to establish a youth-led startup ecosystem.

Yeongdeungpo Youth Architecture School (hereafter Architecture School) is a youth employment education space established in Mullae-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu in 2018, the first of its kind among Seoul’s autonomous districts.

It was founded with the purpose of overcoming the mismatch in the employment market by linking education completion to actual certification acquisition and employment/startups, moving beyond the simple education level of existing employment support programs.

The Architecture School is particularly significant for its identity in training skilled workers in the architectural field. The 2020 Youth Architect Development and Startup Support project differentiates itself from last year’s operation by focusing more on forming networks among graduates and the sustainability of social contribution projects, beyond the basic direction of training technical workers for employment.

The comprehensive interior architecture and interior design course is conducted at Yeongdeungpo Youth Architecture School, with a training period from March 23 to July 31, totaling 480 hours over 5 days a week. Participating youth will receive education on all aspects related to interior architecture and interior design, including wallpapering, tiling, woodworking, and interior film installation, aimed at certification acquisition and employment.

Participants can complete certification courses through theoretical and practical training by professional instructors, and also receive specialized mentoring and consulting for startup support such as cooperative establishment. Tuition is fully free of charge.

Additionally, the district plans to implement the ‘Youth Space Regeneration Project’ scheduled for public announcement in June, which supports space regeneration in underdeveloped areas and home repairs for vulnerable groups. This project aims to provide youth with opportunities to experience startups while simultaneously delivering public services, achieving a twofold effect.

The recruitment targets 24 unemployed youth and 5 teams aspiring to start a business. Any youth aged 18 to 39 residing in Seoul can participate. Priority selection will be given to vulnerable groups who face relatively greater employment difficulties, such as persons with disabilities, low-income individuals, and female heads of households.

The district will select final trainees through document screening and interviews. Youth wishing to apply should submit documents prepared according to the application form posted on the official website of Yeongdeungpo Youth Architecture School (seoulydp2018.or.kr) via email (seoulydp2018@naver.com) by March 10.

For more details, contact the Social Economy Division of Yeongdeungpo-gu Office (☎2670-1664) or Yeongdeungpo Youth Architecture School (☎2631-1539).

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “We hope this will be an opportunity to activate startup culture among young people and create a youth startup ecosystem,” adding, “We expect this project to serve as a successful urban regeneration model and a driving force for Yeongdeungpo to regain its status as one of Seoul’s three major downtown areas.”