Seoul Vocational High Schools to Train 4,000 Semiconductor Talents Over 10 Years

Expansion of Credit System Operation, Utilizing University and Industry Infrastructure
Six Semiconductor Hub Schools Designated by 2025

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, is cheering for examinees at Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education plans to nurture more than 4,000 semiconductor specialists from vocational high schools over the next 10 years through the operation of a credit system and designation of semiconductor hub schools.

On the 30th, Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, stated at a press briefing, "To lead the future, it is necessary to cultivate future talents who will drive advanced industries such as semiconductors, and to secure talent for the semiconductor market, we will train semiconductor specialists at the high school level."

Currently, about 5,000 specialists graduate from vocational high schools and universities (including graduate schools), of which only around 1,300 are from vocational high schools. The semiconductor industry expects that as the industry expands, the demand for industrial manpower will increase from 170,000 to 300,000 in 10 years, with a particularly high growth rate (5.9%) in high school graduate manpower. The demand for new high school graduate manpower is also expected to expand from 44,000 currently to 78,000 by 2031. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education aims to nurture 4,050 specialists from vocational high schools over 10 years. Currently, semiconductor-related departments are established in 19 vocational high schools in Seoul.

To cultivate semiconductor talent in vocational high schools, the Office of Education will expand advanced courses within departments and cross-departmental curricula. They will operate detailed major courses within departments linked to NCS (National Competency Standards)-based curricula to nurture talent. Students from other departments will also be given opportunities to select and complete semiconductor department courses to foster convergence talents. Support will be provided to deepen semiconductor studies as a minor (24 credits).

For subjects difficult to open within schools, practical training will be conducted using infrastructure outside the school, and the credit recognition system will be expanded to allow up to 32 credits to be earned. Theoretical and basic subjects will be taught at schools, while practical training in materials, parts, equipment, and facilities will utilize infrastructure installed at universities or industries. They will create linked education programs between specialized high schools and universities or nurture related field talents through a ‘work-study parallel’ system that alternates between semiconductor production sites and training institutions.

The Office of Education will designate a total of six ‘semiconductor hub schools’ by 2025. They will support the establishment of departments such as Semiconductor Machinery and Semiconductor Electronics, reorganize curricula, and provide consulting on operation plans. Support will also be given for the development of student textbooks, and plans will be made to utilize current engineers as industry-academic joint instructors or specialized subject part-time lecturers. Customized curricula will be shared by operating mutual joint curricula or joint campus-type curricula among hub schools.

An ‘AI (Artificial Intelligence) Convergence Career and Vocational Education Center’ will be established to oversee career and vocational education for students, teachers, and parents, and semiconductor specialist training will be conducted there as well. Basic semiconductor education will be strengthened, and semiconductor literacy education will also be implemented. A (tentatively named) Semiconductor Education Support Group, composed of current and former field experts, will be formed to be utilized by the Office of Education and individual schools.