Providing Work-Learning Concurrent Experience to 1,403 Specialized High School Students Over Three Months

1403 Students Benefit from 'Industry-Academia Integrated Apprenticeship Schools'
62 Specialized High Schools Operate 'Job Market'... 730 Companies Respond Positively

The "Specialized High School Students' Rights Union," a nationwide organization of specialized high school students, held a press conference on July 27th, demanding presidential candidates in the 20th election to "establish policies supporting employment for high school graduates." (Image source=Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced on the 22nd that it provided work-study experience to 1,403 second- and third-year students of specialized high schools over three months from June to August.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated that as a result of operating the apprenticeship preparation program (Job Market) at 62 schools, 1,403 students were employed at 730 companies. These students will engage in work-study activities from this month, alternating between school and companies to learn both theory and practical skills.

The Job Market is a pilot project that started in December last year. Students and companies share information in advance, visit companies, experience job duties, and conduct multi-to-multi interviews to explore each other's needs before gaining work-study experience. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, in this Job Market, companies did not just review materials but held separate briefing sessions for students, and students created portfolios in addition to self-introduction letters to use during interviews.

High school level work-study concurrent apprenticeship preparation course (Job Market) model. (Source: Ministry of Employment and Labor)

Additionally, universities operating the high-skilled work-study program (P-TECH) also participated in the Job Market to guide students in career development up to obtaining an associate degree after graduating from specialized high schools. P-TECH is a program where graduates of apprenticeship schools receive two years of high-skilled technology convergence training in connection with Polytechnics and vocational colleges, then acquire national qualifications and an associate degree.

Ryu Kyung-hee, Director of the Vocational Competency Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, said, "We hope the Job Market becomes a model case of job seeking and recruitment as the first gateway for specialized high school students' employment," adding, "We will actively support young people to secure employment at desired companies through work-study despite the difficult employment conditions caused by COVID-19."