Pilot Trainees and Job Seekers Fear 'Career Break'... Ministry of Land Opens Special Training Program

Korean Air passenger planes and others are parked at the Gimpo Airport apron in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 7th that it will establish a special course at the Uljin Flight Education and Training Center to prevent training career interruptions for pilot trainees and job seekers who have been unable to receive training due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Currently, the Uljin Flight Education and Training Center only offers training courses for new trainees. However, through this support plan, a career transfer course will be established for trainees who have suspended their pilot certification acquisition training, and part of the training costs will be subsidized.

Additionally, to prevent training career interruptions and strengthen employment competitiveness for job seekers who have already obtained pilot certification, a skill maintenance course will be newly established, including flight theory, flight procedure training, and employment information sharing.

Government support funds for job-seeking trainees will also be expanded, such as increasing the number of supported trainees for the jet training course from the existing 30 to 60.

To strengthen the employment stability of new flight instructors, the recruitment support fund, which has supported about 20 people annually, will be expanded to 30 people, and the support period will be extended from 3 months to 6 months.

Detailed information about this support plan can be found from the 1st of next month on the Aviation Human Resources Development Project website and the official Haneul Dream Foundation cafe.