Dobong-gu 'Bus Drivers, Female Taxi Drivers' Training Program

Recruitment of 20 Participants for Female Taxi Driver Training Program Until June 29 · Enrollment of 25 Trainees for 'Bus Driver Training Course' Until May 25

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Dobong-gu (Mayor Dong-jin Lee) is recruiting participants for the ‘Women Taxi Driver Training Project’ for career-interrupted and middle-aged female job seekers, as well as trainees for the ‘Bus Driver Training Course’ aimed at creating local jobs.

Currently, Dobong-gu has two main and branch bus transportation companies, one village bus transportation company, and 23 corporate taxi transportation companies.

The district is investing about 50 million KRW from the job fund to promote the ‘Women Taxi Driver Training Project,’ which connects taxi companies with low taxi operation rates due to a decrease in taxi drivers and career-interrupted and middle-aged female job seekers looking for employment.

The recruitment target for women taxi driver applicants is 20 people. Participants will receive full financial support for all costs related to obtaining taxi driver qualifications. Taxi companies hiring female drivers participating in the project will receive an employment incentive of 400,000 KRW per person per month for one year. The district plans to hold a customized on-site job fair in July to connect employers and job seekers.

The application period for women taxi driver job seekers and participating taxi companies is until June 29. Any female driver residing in Dobong-gu who meets the taxi driving eligibility criteria can apply.

The taxi driving eligibility criteria are: △ holders of a Class 1 or Class 2 regular driver’s license or higher △ at least one year of driving experience △ not subject to Article 24, Paragraph 4 of the Passenger Transport Service Act △ passing the driving aptitude test (conducted by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority). Applicants can apply in person at the Job Plus Center located in the Civil Affairs and Passport Office on the first floor of the district office (phone: 2091-2922~2923).

Taxi companies wishing to participate in the project can apply by phone to the Dobong-gu Office Job and Economy Division. Upon application, a ‘Visiting Career Counselor’ from the district office will visit the company to receive the job application and project application forms.

Additionally, the district is recruiting trainees for the ‘Bus Driver Training Course’ until May 25, offering free education and employment support opportunities for those wishing to work in the bus transportation industry.

This course is part of the ‘2020 Regional and Industry Customized Job Creation Support Project’ led by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and supported by Dobong-gu and Seongbuk-gu offices. The training is free of charge, and trainees receive allowances for transportation and meals. Employment support is also provided after course completion.

Eligibility requires applicants to be at least 26 years old, hold a Class 1 large vehicle driver’s license and bus driver qualification certificate, and have passed the driving aptitude test with a ‘suitable’ rating. Residents of Seongbuk-gu and Dobong-gu and vulnerable groups are given priority.

Applications must be submitted by May 25 after prior telephone consultation, followed by a visit to the headquarters of the Korea Vocational Training Association for registration.

Required documents include △ training application form (to be completed on-site) △ Class 1 large vehicle driver’s license △ bus driver qualification certificate △ comprehensive driving aptitude test report △ and bus driving experience documents (if applicable). After receiving more than twice the number of applicants than available spots on a first-come, first-served basis, interviews will be conducted to select a final group of 25 trainees.

Selected trainees will undergo a 30-day training schedule from July 6 to August 21, excluding summer vacation days. The 240-hour curriculum includes bus safety education, practical experience, hiring events, and a 10-day (80-hour) practical training at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority’s Gyeongbuk Sangju Experience Training Center. Training will take place at the Seongbuk Hills State 2nd-floor training center located in Seongbuk-gu.

Mayor Dong-jin Lee of Dobong-gu stated, “Through this Women Taxi Driver Training Project and Bus Driver Training Course, we expect to strengthen drivers’ professional capabilities and promote local job creation and revitalization through employment support.”