Yongsan-gu Operates 'Neet Company' for Unemployed Youth

Yongsan Cheongnyeon Jium Operates Virtual Company for 30 Youths from This Month to July
▲Online and Offline Commuting ▲In-House Clubs ▲Yongsan Tours ▲Exhibitions and Other Indirect Company Experience Programs
Reverse Interview Held on the 19th, Program Started with Orientation on the 20th

Yongsan-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Hee-young) is operating a virtual company called ‘NEET Company Yongsan Branch’ at Yongsan Youth Jium from this month until July, for about 100 days, targeting NEET youth.

‘NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)’ is a newly coined term referring to young unemployed individuals who refuse education, employment, or training and have no intention to work.

The number of young NEETs has been increasing steadily, with about 2 out of every 10 young people becoming NEETs since the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. They face various issues such as burnout, health problems, difficulties in supporting their families, and employment challenges.

In particular, unemployed young people living alone are often socially isolated and unable to participate in social activities due to economic and psychological difficulties.

In response, the district operates the virtual company ‘NEET Company Yongsan Branch’ to help these young people overcome lethargic daily lives and foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie through connections with peers.

The schedule proceeds in the order of application, reverse interview, orientation and department assignment, company life, and closing ceremony.

The 30 young people who joined ‘NEET Company Yongsan Branch’ started their virtual company life on the 19th with participation in a reverse interview. Unlike a traditional interview where the participant answers questions, the reverse interview allows participants to become the questioners and ask all the questions they are curious about.

On the 20th, an orientation was held at Yongsan Youth Jium to introduce the program’s operation, team leaders, and networking among participants, marking their first meeting.

Afterwards, NEET Company employees attend online work every day for 10 weeks. Once a week, they come to Yongsan Youth Jium in person to build relationships with other participants and regain the rhythm of daily life, which is the goal of the program.

Employees must verify their work during weekdays, and in cases of holidays, sick leave, or personal days, they must verify their survival.

Additionally, to enhance capabilities, small group interviews, in-house clubs, and Yongsan tours are organized. Employees with similar interests run in-house clubs to share various hobbies and maintain relationships. During the Yongsan tours, participants visit local landmarks, popular restaurants, and cafes to increase affection and interest in the area and get to know each other better.

At the end of the company life, an exhibition of the NEET Company Yongsan Branch will be held to display the results of the work certified by each participant. A closing ceremony will also be held to share the records of the 10-week activities and impressions of working at NEET Company.

In particular, along with the July closing ceremony, a forum is planned where NEET Company employees and the Yongsan Youth Policy Network will meet. They will discuss youth issues such as policies needed for NEET youth, the role of youth spaces desired by young people, and ways to build social safety nets.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “This project is intended to help our isolated youth re-enter society,” and added, “I hope it will be a turning point for them to explore their future lives through interactions with various people.”