"Nogada? This Is Real Skilled Labor" MZ Generation Deeply Engaged in Physical Work

Increase in Youth Learning Skills Like Carpentry and Interior Design
Employment Slump Since COVID-19 Spread
Positive Shift in Perception of On-Site Skills
Sharing 'Tips' on YouTube and Vlogs
'Nogadeo' Neologism Gains Popularity

Young people who film a day working at a construction site and upload it to YouTube. / Photo by Hoon Kang Seonghoon, YouTube channel capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] #Mr. Lee (31), who quit his job last September, has been attending a vocational training academy since the end of last month. The vocational academy is a place where one can hone construction skills used at construction sites, and the 'major' he chose is carpentry. Attending every weekday from early morning until 3 p.m., repeatedly cutting and assembling wood in a practice room modeled after an actual construction site, he says his skills have improved significantly.

Mr. Lee said, "I never thought the day would come when I, who had worked indoors all my life, would learn on-site skills," but added, "The more I do it, the more confident I become, and I am convinced that I can become a 'veteran' in this field."

Recently, the number of MZ generation individuals interested in physical labor has been gradually increasing. They register at specialized academies to learn on-site skills and also share their experiences online through platforms like YouTube and vlogs. Young people say they decided to 'change careers' after experiencing the rapid downturn in traditional service jobs following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Lee (31), who gave up a job he had been engaged in for over three years to attend a vocational school to become a carpenter working at a construction site. The photo shows the practical training scene at the vocational school / Photo by Mr. Lee

◆"After experiencing a recession, I envied carpentry certificates" - Young people learning on-site skills

Before attending the vocational academy, Mr. Lee worked in face-to-face service jobs. Although he had become accustomed to the industry after working for over three years, his mindset began to waver starting last year when the spread of COVID-19 began. This was because he was repeatedly forced to take unpaid leave to compensate for business losses. As social distancing regulations fluctuated, he repeatedly stopped and resumed work, worsening his financial situation.

Eventually, Mr. Lee resigned from his job last September. After quitting a job he had held for over three years, he chose none other than 'physical labor.' He confessed, "Seeing friends who work after obtaining a formwork carpenter (formwork technician) certificate made me envy those with on-site skills."

Mr. Lee expressed that after the COVID-19 pandemic, he felt anxious as if he was treated as 'replaceable labor.' He said, "Repeatedly stopping and restarting work reduced my salary and made my future livelihood uncertain," adding, "To never experience such a situation again, I concluded that I must have essential skills in this world."

He continued, "Housing is something humans will always need as long as they live, and carpentry is a profession that always suffers from labor shortages," explaining his reason for learning carpentry skills. "I thought that if I become a veteran in this industry, I will never be replaceable."

The training site of the practice team to which Mr. Lee belongs. / Photo by Mr. Lee

◆Sharing work scenes on YouTube... The new term 'Nogadeo' emerges

Mr. Lee is not the only one in their 20s and 30s interested in on-site skills. Recently, more young people recognizing the value of 'physical labor' have been wearing work clothes. The skills they learn vary widely, including civil engineering, interior work, and even obtaining licenses for large heavy machinery like excavators.

These 'young workers' actively share their work experiences on online platforms such as YouTube and vlogs. A new slang term, 'Nogadeo,' has been coined by modifying 'Nogada,' a colloquial term for manual laborers. The word combines 'Nogada' with the English suffix 'er,' referring to young laborers who make manual labor their livelihood.

The number of such 'Nogadeo' youth has increased significantly over the past several years. According to Statistics Korea's employment trend data, the average monthly number of young people employed in simple labor jobs was 474,000 in the first half of 2017, but increased by 26.4% to 599,000 during the same period this year. While the employment downturn following COVID-19 contributed to the deterioration of job quality, some young people choose physical labor by their own will.

Meanwhile, over the past year, face-to-face service industries such as retail, lodging, and food services have suffered significant damage. From March last year, when the COVID-19 spread began in earnest, to February this year, the number of employed persons decreased by 428,000 compared to the previous year, with lodging and food services (-217,000) and retail (-177,000) experiencing the largest impacts.

◆"We must create industrial sites that young people do not avoid"

Along with the trend of young people showing interest in physical labor, voices are emerging that industrial sites need reform to provide job training suitable for the younger generation.

The Korea Construction Industry Research Institute urged the need to cultivate diverse skilled workers, including youth and women, in its March report titled 'Paradigm Shift and Implications in Construction Site Workforce Development.'

The institute pointed out in the report, "The existing paradigm for cultivating skilled workers is characterized by team and foreman-based networking on-site, learning by observation, and lack of job security due to non-regular employment," adding, "This approach struggles to respond to new environmental changes such as the aging population due to a declining working-age population and the younger generation's culture emphasizing 'work-life balance.'"

It emphasized, "We must present a vision as a profession and seek changes in education and training methods that can cultivate diverse personnel to create a sustainable industry that young people do not avoid."