Training Local Talent to Lead the 4th Industrial Revolution at Nowon Makers One

Nowon's 'Makerspace' Equipped with Advanced Devices like 3D Printers and Laser Cutters... Supporting Startups and Employment through 4th Industrial Revolution Education Infrastructure and Programs... Nowon Makers One Moves to Induk University Yeonji Square, Available from January 22

Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will actively work on establishing a platform for nurturing talent in the 4th industrial revolution and creating jobs, taking advantage of the relocation of 'Nowon Makers One.'

A ‘maker’ refers to people who realize ideas using various tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters and share the results, and the creative space where ‘makers’ realize their ideas is called a ‘MakerSpace.’

'Nowon Makers One' is precisely a Nowon-type MakerSpace.

Nowon Makers One is a job creation platform that started in 2018 as a job creation contest project. It goes beyond simply providing education or community space by training participants to be immediately deployable in practical situations and introducing the concept of lifelong support with continuous monitoring.

At Nowon Makers One, programs for ‘essential equipment training’ such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and UV printers, as well as software education programs for utilizing 3D printing, are operated. Although these devices have a growing range of applications in the 4th industrial era, access for the general public has been difficult due to time and cost issues despite high interest, and this helps facilitate equipment experience.

Moreover, efforts are being made to form a community where ideas can be shared, not just to produce results. Nowon Makers One’s ‘Networking Day’ collaborates with Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seongsu Makers One, and Seoul Fan Lab to build networks among maker program trainees and companies.

Through ‘Mentoring Day,’ one-on-one expert consultations for the commercialization of startup items are also provided, and by utilizing the Nowon local cultural festival ‘Startup & Local Economy Festival,’ efforts are made to exhibit Makers One products and develop sales channels, thereby strengthening job linkage and platform establishment.

This year, Nowon Makers One will relocate to Yeonji Square at Induk University. The district expects that with the relocation, the employment and startup infrastructure will expand as it will be close not only to local universities such as Seoul National University of Science and Technology and Kwangwoon University but also to facilities like Startup Didimter.

Also, being located inside a university provides a significant advantage in ‘accessibility,’ allowing students to use the MakerSpace in various ways not only for startups but also for employment and hobbies, which will greatly help users realize their ideas.

Nowon Makers One will be available for use starting January 22, 2024.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “At the Nowon-type MakerSpace ‘Nowon Makers One,’ any Nowon resident can realize their ideas,” and added, “We hope that Nowon Makers One will establish itself as an educational hub for nurturing talent in the 4th industrial revolution and become a place for job creation such as startups and employment.”