Korean Management Technology Guidance Association Launches Full-Scale Support for SME ESG Management

- Development and Dissemination of SME Field-Oriented Consulting Methodology
- First Training of About 50 SME ESG Experts in August

The Korea Management Technology Guidance Association (hereinafter referred to as the Guidance Association) announced that it will conduct the ‘SME ESG Expert Training Course’ starting from August 14.

Considering that close support from experts with abundant field experience is urgently needed to resolve the difficulties faced by SMEs in strategically promoting ‘ESG management,’ which has recently emerged as a key topic for Korean companies, the training course has been established.

The training course, developed mainly by experts from the ‘SME ESG Management Support Group’ launched by the Guidance Association in May, consists of content necessary for SMEs to effectively implement ESG management, including ESG management strategy formulation, disclosure response measures such as publishing ESG reports, and responses to ESG evaluation demands from trading clients and markets.

This educational program will provide intensive training for 50 management consultants and technical consultants who wish to support ESG roles for SMEs, conducted in real-time online sessions over two weeks for “ESG consulting support.”

Additionally, the Guidance Association recently held two “Special ESG Management Webinars” (on August 2 and 4) covering recent ESG management issues, government policy directions, and SME response strategies. With over 800 management and technical consultants applying, there is strong interest in supporting SME ESG management. The Association plans to continuously open expert training courses to expand the pool of ESG experts.

The Guidance Association, under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, consists of approximately 17,000 nationally certified management and technical consultants. Established in 1986, it has been striving for 35 years as a leading institution for the development of the knowledge service industry and the innovative growth of SMEs and small business owners.

In particular, following the enforcement of the ‘Act on Management Consultants and Technical Consultants’ in April this year, the Association was newly launched as a statutory body for national certified professionals. It is conducting the ‘win-win, 3,000 Talent Donation Consulting Project’ to help SMEs and small business owners overcome the COVID-19 crisis. Besides the ESG Management Support Group, 19 groups composed of experts, including the Data Convergence Business Group and Export Business Group, are carrying out multifaceted activities to support SMEs and small business owners.

Kim Oh-yeon, president of the Guidance Association, emphasized, “Although SMEs recognize the importance of ESG management reported in the media, they do not know specifically how to implement it. Experts who can provide practical support tailored to the circumstances of SMEs are needed, and this is why management and technical consultants, who know the SME field better than anyone, must carry out ‘field-customized’ support activities.” He added, “Starting with this training course, we plan to launch full-scale ESG management support activities, and by strengthening the ESG capabilities of SMEs through management and technical consultants, we will contribute to enhancing the future competitiveness of SMEs.”