Private-Led Job Training and Work Experience Provided... Launch of the 'Youth Employment Support Network'

Ministry of Employment and Labor-Korea Employers Federation Hold Launch Ceremony for Youth Employment Support Network

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] The 'Youth Employment Support Network,' which promotes various projects to solve youth employment issues led by the private sector, has officially launched.

The Korea Employers Federation and the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the afternoon of the 24th that they held the launch ceremony of the 'Youth Employment Support Network' at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Attendees at the ceremony included Minister of Employment An Kyung-duk, Youth Employment Policy Officer Kwon Chang-jun, Executive Director of the Korea Employers Federation Ryu Ki-jung, Vice President of Samsung Electronics Na Ki-hong, and Head of HR Culture at POSCO Yang Byung-ho.

The Youth Employment Support Network consists of the Korea Employers Federation and a support group of youth employment experts, with participation from major companies including youth employment support membership companies and the government. Specifically, it is composed of the 'Youth Employment Support Network,' which includes the Korea Employers Federation, youth employment expert support group, and chief human resources officers (CHO) of major companies, and the 'Youth Employment Support Network Support Working Committee,' which includes department heads from major companies.

Starting with the launch ceremony, the Youth Employment Support Network will hold regular meetings to share best practices of youth employment support programs and related research results, and to develop improvement plans to provide youth with high-level job training and experience opportunities.

At the launch ceremony, Kwon Soon-won, a professor at Sookmyung Women's University and representative of the youth employment expert support group, gave a presentation on the necessity and promotion plan of private sector-led youth employment support programs under the theme of "Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Youth Employment Support Projects." This was followed by discussions on sharing the operational performance of company-specific programs and collaboration plans to expand excellent programs.

Minister An said, "Through the programs of membership companies participating in the youth employment support project in the second half of this year, more than 1,700 young people have gained opportunities to improve job competencies and gain work experience." He added, "As many young people still have a strong desire to prepare for the future through employment, I hope this project and network will be of great help to them."

According to the Korea Employers Federation and others, for example, Samsung Electronics, POSCO, and SK Hynix plan to provide job training and work experience to approximately 950, 590, and 150 to 200 young people respectively through programs such as the Samsung Youth Software Academy (SSAFY), For You Dream, and High Five in the second half of this year.

Executive Director Ryu said, "Through the Youth Employment Support Network established today, young people will be able to acquire the competencies needed in the industrial field, and companies will be able to nurture and utilize future human resources." He added, "The Korea Employers Federation will cooperate with the government and expert support groups to ensure that youth employment support membership companies become best practices and spread throughout the employment market."