"Preparing for an Uncertain Future" Certification Market Attracts Both Job Seekers and Employees [Heo Midam's Youth Report]

Real Estate Agent Exam, 'Middle-aged Exam' Is a Thing of the Past... 2030 Also Flocking
Office Worker "Feel Job Insecurity Even While Working"
Expert "Certification Craze Influenced by Future Anxiety... Excessive Spec Competition Should Be Avoided"

Citizens are studying at a cafe. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] # Shin Mo (28), an office worker, started studying to become a licensed real estate agent last month. He said, "Studying while working is not easy, but I started because of the anxiety of not knowing when I might be laid off from the company." He added, "Since working from home due to COVID-19, I have had relatively more time to study. I am referring to online lectures." He continued, "It was tough to balance studying and working, and I even thought about giving up the exam, but I am determined to study because I believe it will help me in the long run."

Following the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, the job market has tightened for young people, and office workers are also suffering from job insecurity. To prepare for an uncertain future, they are preparing for professional certification exams. In particular, office workers are eager to pass exams by taking online lectures after work. Experts analyze that various factors, including job insecurity, have influenced the craze for certifications.

College student Song Mo (25) has been preparing for the licensed real estate agent exam through self-study since March. He said, "Because all school classes switched online due to COVID-19, there was no need to go to school. I thought it would be helpful to use this time well to get a certification." He added, "My original dream was to be an advertiser, but I started studying because it seemed difficult to get a job. The licensed real estate agent certification is a kind of 'insurance.'"

Originally, the licensed real estate agent exam was known as a "middle-aged exam" because many middle-aged and older people took it, but recently it has become popular among young people. According to the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, a record 343,074 people registered for the 31st licensed real estate agent exam last year. By age group, ▲40s accounted for 107,852 (31.4%), the highest, followed by ▲30s with 97,895 (28.5%), ▲50s with 77,692 (22.6%), and ▲20s with 38,227 (11.1%). The 20s and 30s age groups combined make up nearly 40% of the examinees.

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Other exams such as Level 1 Social Worker and Tax Accountant are also gaining popularity. Lee Mo (27), an office worker at a small and medium-sized enterprise, is preparing for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Lee said, "I got a job after overcoming the employment crisis, but my ideals and reality were very different. The salary was low, and the treatment was poor, so I originally decided to change jobs." He added, "But these days, due to COVID-19, the job market has become a battlefield. Once I pass the exam, I will quit immediately."

The craze for certifications among young people is also reflected in related statistics. According to a survey conducted by the job portal Incruit in July on 923 office workers and job seekers about their preparation status and plans for professional qualifications, 20.9% of respondents said they are "currently studying." Additionally, 37% said they had "studied before."

In particular, office workers said they became interested in professional qualifications due to ▲preparing for old age (52.3%) ▲dissatisfaction with current jobs such as human relations, welfare, and salary (44.3%) ▲job insecurity (36.4%).

Experts analyze that the 'certification craze' among young people is related to increased uncertainty about the future. Professor Kwak Geumju of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University said, "There are various reasons why young people study for certifications. First, the impact of unstable employment is significant." She added, "Even those who are employed are often dissatisfied with their current jobs. As the concept of a 'lifetime job' disappears, people tend to change jobs if the salary or welfare conditions are better."

She continued, "Many want to prepare in advance for things that will help when changing jobs. Even if not for changing jobs, some study certifications for side jobs or personal growth."

Professor Kwak emphasized, "It is not bad to build up specs in advance, but our society is excessively focused on spec competition. We should not engage in spec competition out of excessive anxiety about the future."