Mapo-gu Holds Job Fair for Seniors

[Seoul District News] Mapo-gu to Hold Senior Job Fair on 15th from 10 AM to 2 PM at Mapo-gu Office 1st Floor Eoullim Madang & 3,222 Recruited Across 50 Projects in 4 Fields with Dong Resident Centers and 13 Public-Private Organizations Participating... Gwanak-gu Creates 3,448 Jobs in 4 Types: Public Interest, Social Service, Market, Employment Referral & Intensive Recruitment Until 16th at Dong Resident Centers and 7 Agencies, Year-Round Recruitment for Unfilled Positions... Gangdong-gu 2023 Senior Job Project Participants 3,402

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Kang-su) is hosting a ‘Senior Job Fair’ to support stable retirement life by creating jobs for the elderly.

To recruit new participants for the 2023 senior job project, the job fair for seniors will be held on December 15th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the first floor Eoullim Madang of Mapo-gu Office. This is the first job fair in three years since 2019, encouraging many seniors to show interest and participate.

The 2023 senior job and social activity support project will recruit a total of 3,222 people across 50 projects in four fields, including 2,377 in public interest activities. Selected seniors will be provided jobs through 13 private organizations, including 16 community service centers and Mapo Senior Club.

At the job fair, explanations of about 50 project groups conducted by Mapo-gu will be provided in one place, allowing seniors to compare and choose jobs suitable for themselves.

Additionally, side events include applications for job experience at the Mapo 50+ Happiness Academy, free dementia counseling services provided by the Mapo-gu Dementia Relief Center, and job counseling information for middle-aged and older adults, making the event more meaningful for seniors.

In 2023, compared to this year, public-type jobs in Mapo-gu’s senior job project will decrease by 15.9%, while social service-type jobs will increase by 33.2%, market-type jobs by 26.4%, and employment placement-type jobs by 15%.

Accordingly, new projects and market-type projects such as ‘Our Neighborhood Environmental Security Guard’ and ‘Cafe Project Group,’ which utilize seniors’ activity capabilities to contribute socially and provide practical income security, are expected to enhance seniors’ self-esteem and bring the joy of going to work to those dreaming of a second life.

Public interest activity-type projects such as street environment keepers and meal helpers are open to seniors aged 65 or older who receive basic pensions, while social service-type projects such as disability service support are open to all seniors aged 65 or older. Additionally, market-type projects like senior cafes and employment placement-type projects are open to seniors aged 60 or older.

Applications for new participants in the 2023 senior job project will be accepted from December 15 to 21. Seniors wishing to participate can attend the fair held on the 15th with their ID or visit the project implementing organizations directly during the application period. For more details, contact the Senior Companion and Senior Policy Team of Mapo-gu.

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) supports healthy retirement life by securing both job opportunities for seniors and improving local welfare in response to the ultra-aged society.

The district plans to expand opportunities for socially active participation of elderly people with working ability by providing jobs for seniors and share their knowledge and experience with the local community.

The ‘Gwanak-gu 2023 Senior Job and Social Activity Support Project’ will recruit a total of 3,448 people across four types?public interest, social service, market, and employment placement?through seven implementing organizations including Gwanak Senior Welfare Center and Gwanak Senior Club.

First, the ‘public interest-type’ jobs are for seniors aged 65 or older receiving basic pensions, involving volunteer activities that promote community welfare such as ‘Nono Care’ (elderly caring for elderly), ‘vulnerable group volunteering,’ and ‘experience transfer activities.’

The ‘social service-type’ jobs utilize seniors’ careers and activity capabilities to provide services such as childcare assistant, administrative support at welfare facilities and public offices, and media education, supplementing public service areas. Eligible seniors are aged 65 or older (some types allow 60 or older) and are selected considering communication, conflict resolution skills, and cooperative relationships.

The ‘market-type’ jobs involve seniors aged 60 or older jointly operating small stores and specialized business groups suitable for their age, creating jobs through food and manufactured goods production and sales, and store management.

Also, the ‘employment placement-type’ jobs match seniors aged 60 or older seeking jobs with companies.

The district has a focused application period until December 16, and any remaining vacancies will be recruited throughout the year. However, recipients of national basic livelihood security living allowances, workplace health insurance subscribers, long-term care insurance grade holders, and those already participating in other job projects are not eligible.

Seniors wishing to participate can apply at their local community service centers or any of the seven senior job implementing organizations in the district. Detailed information on application documents and eligibility can be found on the Gwanak-gu Office website (News → Announcements → Notices).

A district official said, “We have made great efforts to expand jobs that provide both fulfillment and income for seniors, rather than simple labor jobs like alley cleaning. We ask the community to pay attention so seniors can work in fields utilizing their experience and knowledge.”

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) announced that it will recruit participants for the ‘2023 Senior Job and Social Activity Support Project’ from December 12 to 28.

Next year’s project will operate 55 projects with a scale of 3,402 people, recruiting in three fields: 2,601 in public interest activities, 450 in social services, and 351 in market-type jobs.

This year, six new project groups were discovered, such as senior subway elevator safety keepers and advance care planning counselors, providing services in areas needing social help by utilizing seniors’ capabilities.

The ‘public interest-type’ involves tasks such as elderly care, public facility volunteering, and school meal assistance, working for 11 months (at least 30 hours per month, within 3 hours per day) with activity fees up to 270,000 KRW. Applicants must be basic pension recipients aged 65 or older residing in the district.

The ‘social service-type’ involves public administrative support, care for vulnerable groups or child facilities, etc., open to seniors aged 65 or older (some types allow 60 or older). Participants work for 10 months (60 hours per month, 15 hours per week) and receive up to 710,000 KRW monthly.

The ‘market-type’ includes senior counseling cafes, woodworking shops, leather workshops, and school commuting helpers, targeting seniors aged 60 or older. Working periods and salaries vary by job.

Applications for the senior job project are accepted until December 28 at six implementing organizations (Gangdong-gu Office Senior Welfare Division, Seoul Gangdong Senior Welfare Center, Gangdong Haegong Senior Welfare Center, Seonggajeong Senior Welfare Center, Korean Senior Citizens Association Gangdong Branch, Gangdong Senior Club) either by direct visit or online (Bokjiro, Senior Job Here). However, supporting documents must be submitted in person even if applying online.

Kim Hyun-jung, head of the Senior Welfare Division, said, “We will continue to discover quality jobs and actively promote pilot projects to support seniors’ vibrant and healthy retirement. We will do our best to expand senior jobs.”

For more information, refer to the Gangdong-gu Office website or contact the Senior Welfare Division.

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Ki-jae) is operating the ‘2023 First Half Yangcheon-gu Safe Job Project’ to provide direct jobs to vulnerable employment groups, aiming to stabilize employment and livelihoods and practice ‘walking with the vulnerable.’ It is recruiting 200 participants until December 16.

In particular, the district plans to focus on ‘self-help’ based projects where the vulnerable help other vulnerable people, moving away from simple and repetitive jobs.

Main fields include ▲environmental safety keepers in housing vulnerable areas ▲digital vulnerable platform support (photo) ▲support assistants for medical services for socially vulnerable groups, comprising 24 projects.

Especially, the ‘Digital Vulnerable Platform Support Project’ targets digitally vulnerable seniors, improving accessibility to digital platforms such as unmanned civil service issuance machines and mobile ID verification services.

Other projects include ‘Environmental Safety Keepers in Housing Vulnerable Areas’ that maintain safety by cleaning rainwater drains and illegal dumping on back roads, and ‘One Step Companion Assistants’ who help seniors safely move in facilities without elevators. These projects were selected through the Seoul City project selection committee.

Applicants must be residents aged 18 to under 65 with working ability, with household income below 75% of the median income and household assets under 400 million KRW. Working hours are 4 hours per day, 5 days a week, with the 2024 minimum wage of 9,620 KRW per hour applied. Weekly holiday allowance and snack fees are paid separately.

Residents wishing to apply should bring application forms and job registration certificates to their local community service center by December 16. The district will notify selected candidates individually in January after screening.

Mayor Lee Ki-jae said, “I hope the safe job project will be of some help to residents facing economic difficulties due to the economic downturn and high prices. We will continue to discover and operate substantial job projects to contribute to livelihood stability.”

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) is recruiting participants for the ‘2023 First Half Gangbuk-gu Seoul Citizen Safe Job Project’ for five days from December 12 to 16.

The district plans to provide jobs to a total of 316 people, focusing on self-help based projects that enhance productivity and accompany the vulnerable.

Applicants must be Gangbuk-gu residents aged 18 or older with working ability, meeting income criteria of household median income below 75% and assets under 400 million KRW.

Recipients of livelihood benefits under the National Basic Livelihood Security Act, unemployment benefit recipients, those who participated in public job projects twice or more in the last two years, and those who participated consecutively twice are excluded. However, livelihood benefit recipients can participate if they clearly waive benefits, and residents in small rooms, disabled persons, and homeless people can apply up to three times in two years (three consecutive participations allowed).

Applicants should bring ID, job registration certificate, and proof of priority eligibility to their local community service center.

The district will select candidates on January 16 after eligibility verification.

The work period is from January 18 to June 30, 2023, subject to change depending on announcement schedules.

For details, refer to the Gangbuk-gu website news or contact the Job Economy Division or community service centers.

Mayor Lee Soon-hee said, “The safe job project provides productive jobs linked to district issues. I hope public jobs help residents who lost jobs and face livelihood difficulties.”

Additionally, Gangbuk-gu is recruiting 2,509 participants for the ‘Senior Job and Social Activity Support Project’ until December 23.

Job types include public interest, social service, and market types. Seniors can participate in 19 projects such as welfare facility environment maintenance, care support for mobility-impaired seniors, school route guidance, small-scale production in joint workshops, childcare assistant, and neighborhood environment maintenance.

Applicants must be residents of Gangbuk-gu aged 65 or older with working ability. Market-type projects allow participation from age 60. Public interest-type projects are for seniors aged 65 or older receiving basic pensions. However, livelihood benefit recipients receiving living allowances, government or local government job participants, workplace health insurance subscribers, and long-term care insurance recipients are excluded.

Interested seniors should submit ID, resident registration copies, and other documents to the implementing organization of the desired job. Applications can also be made via Senior Job Here and Bokjiro websites, but visiting the implementing organization is mandatory for individual interviews.

Details on compensation, working conditions, project period, and application locations are available on the Gangbuk-gu website. Mayor Lee Soon-hee said, “Senior jobs provide social participation opportunities and prevent elderly problems. I hope many seniors participate, interact with peers, and enjoy vibrant retirement.”

On the 9th, delivering a silver cart to an elderly person at Sadang 3-dong Community Center

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Il-ha) announced on December 12 that it will provide 150 ‘Silver Cars,’ walking aids, to seniors with mobility difficulties.

Silver Cars are walking aid carts that help seniors walk by holding handles and pushing, equipped with brakes, storage space, and a seat function, supporting convenient and safe outings for seniors.

The district will select 150 low-income seniors who have difficulty with social activities and need care, and distribute Silver Cars within this month.

Welfare planners or visiting nurses will visit the households to deliver Silver Cars and check on seniors’ health and well-being.

In addition to the Silver Car support project, the district is promoting various elderly welfare policies such as cold wave shelters, customized care services for seniors, and senior job and social activity support projects.

Mayor Park Il-ha said, “I hope seniors use Silver Cars to move safely. We will continue to listen to the voices of marginalized groups and do our best to discover projects that can be directly felt.”

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) will hold a developmental disability poetry and painting exhibition titled ‘Slow Voice, Whisper Whisper’ in the lobby on the first floor of the government building from December 12 to 23.

The exhibition features works by 29 students of the Jungnang-gu Developmental Disability Education Center, organized into five themes: ‘My Daily Life, My Feelings,’ ‘Things I Like,’ ‘People I Love,’ ‘My Beloved Neighborhood,’ and ‘My Dreams and Future.’ Students who can express themselves verbally wrote poems, while those with difficulties drew pictures, making all students protagonists of the exhibition.

The language and paintings full of individuality and honesty from the developmental disability students are filled with stories of life no different from those without disabilities. Beyond evaluations of well-written or poorly written works from a non-disabled perspective, this exhibition offers an opportunity to listen to their life stories.

The district hopes the exhibition will communicate the students’ thoughts and voices, break down barriers between disabled and non-disabled people, and foster mutual empathy.

Park Jong-du, head of the Jungnang-gu Developmental Disability Lifelong Education Center, said, “I hope many residents visit to appreciate the sincere works expressing the lives of people with developmental disabilities and have opportunities for communication.”

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, “Through the students’ poems and paintings, I hope to raise community interest in disabilities and recognize people with developmental disabilities as our neighbors. We will pay attention and strive so that people with developmental disabilities can live independently and harmoniously in the community.”

The Jungnang-gu Developmental Disability Lifelong Education Center operates various programs and projects to help people with developmental disabilities live successful independent lives as community members.