‘Dobong-type Youth Intern’ Praised... Why?

‘Dobong-style Youth Internship’ Receives High Praise! Both Youth Interns and Participating Institutions and Companies Are Satisfied

Dobong-gu Holds First Meeting with the First Youth Internship Participants on the 18th

About 20 Attendees Including Youth Interns, Public Institution Workplace Managers, and Participating Company Representatives

Time Allocated to Hear Opinions on Effective Operation of the Program, Including Youth Interns’ Work Impressions

Participating Company Officials: “Companies Reduce Labor Cost Burden, Youth Gain More Growth Opportunities…”

Oh Eon-seok, Dobong-gu Mayor, “Youth Internship Program Should Be Expanded to Provide Employment Opportunities for Youth”

Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) held a meeting for participants of the 'Public Institution and Company Practical Youth Internship' on the 18th at the Widang Hall of Dobong-gu Office.

This meeting was organized to gather various opinions from youth interns and related personnel participating in the 'Public Institution and Company Practical Youth Internship' program regarding their work impressions and improvement plans for the effective operation of the project.

The meeting was attended by about 20 people, including Mayor Oh Eon-seok of Dobong-gu, seven youth interns, public institution workplace managers, and representatives of participating companies. The event proceeded with the mayor’s encouragement speech, presentations of youth interns’ participation impressions, and collection of opinions from project stakeholders.

Mayor Oh Eon-seok of Dobong-gu said, “I am pleased to have produced the first protagonists of the youth internship project, a pledge of the 8th elected administration,” and added, “In particular, I deeply thank the representatives of participating companies ‘Bitsomeone’ and ‘Design-e Bba-jida’ who directly recruited and selected Dobong-gu youth talents, as well as the public institution officials.”

A representative from the Dobong Food Bank Market Center, a public institution youth internship workplace attending the meeting, said, “Until now, the personnel supported by the district were mostly over 50 years old, but with the arrival of youth interns, the workplace has become livelier. I am satisfied as I am fulfilling my role as a member,” and added, “I hope the youth internship program will be expanded further.”

A representative from ‘Damsosae’ at Bangagol Comprehensive Social Welfare Center shared, “Since the youth interns are from Dobong-gu, they have a deep understanding of the area and a proactive attitude toward meeting residents, which is very positive.”

A representative from Bitsomeone, a tenant company at Seoul Startup Hub Chang-dong and a participating company in the youth internship program, said, “This youth internship program is very helpful for startups. Previously, startups faced difficulties as they had to wait for new hires to adapt, so they usually hired experienced workers who could be immediately assigned to practical tasks. This time, it was a great opportunity to newly hire capable youth interns. They have been working for three weeks now and are already handling practical tasks. I hope there will be many more such hiring opportunities in the future.”

A representative from ‘Design-e Bba-jida,’ a participating company located in Ssangmun-dong, Dobong-gu, said, “Since our company is small, labor costs are actually the biggest burden, so participating in the youth internship program helped reduce that burden. Also, since youth can learn and have opportunities to grow, it seems to be a good project that benefits both companies and youth.”

Mayor Oh Eon-seok of Dobong-gu added, “To provide a stepping stone for youth employment in line with the hiring trend favoring experienced workers, we prepared public institution, company, and overseas internship programs. After hearing various opinions, I think there is a need to expand the youth internship system,” and said, “We will continue to promote customized youth policies for a bright future for youth and create a ‘Youth-Friendly City’ where young people can freely pursue their dreams.”

Dobong-gu launched the Dobong-style youth internship program this year for the first time in three fields: ‘public institutions,’ ‘companies,’ and ‘overseas.’ Since April, five Dobong-gu youth have started working as practical youth interns at public institutions, and after recruiting participating companies located in Dobong-gu, two youth interns were recruited and selected directly by the companies to start working from May.

The ‘Dobong Youth Overseas Internship Support Project,’ the first of its kind among Seoul’s autonomous districts, plans to hold a project briefing session on June 2 for document-screened applicants after recruiting participants until May 22.