"Passing the Firefighter Exam with a Computer Proficiency Certificate"…KCCI Presents Outstanding Certification Cases

Sangui, Presentation of Excellent Cases Utilizing National Certificates on the 24th
Introduction of a Total of 13 Utilization Cases Including 3 Grand Prizes

"With an 8th grade score on the CSAT and no natural talent for studying, I practiced computer skills during the day and worked as a substitute driver at night to earn the Computer Utilization Level 1 certification, which gave me extra points and helped me pass the firefighter civil service exam."

"Despite having an intellectual disability, after 10 attempts, I obtained the Word Processor and Computer Utilization certifications and succeeded in securing a full-time job at a disability center."

On the 24th, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) announced that it had selected and announced 13 outstanding entries from a contest featuring success stories of individuals who obtained national certifications administered by KCCI and achieved employment or promotion. On the 22nd, an awards ceremony was held for 13 winners, including three grand prize recipients.

Park Il-jun, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (fifth from the left), is taking a commemorative photo with the winners of the "Excellent Cases of National Qualification Utilization Contest." Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

This year, a total of 285 entries were submitted to the outstanding case contest. Three grand prizes, three excellence awards, one excellence award in the military category, and six encouragement awards were selected as winners.

Jung In-seon, who was selected for the grand prize (Minister of Employment and Labor Award), is an examinee with an intellectual disability who obtained Word Processor and Computer Utilization Level 2 certifications after 10 attempts. Jung said, "I am currently working full-time at a disability independent living center in Incheon, actively utilizing the document creation skills I acquired during the certification process in my office work. I want to show that even with a disability, if you don't give up and keep challenging yourself, you can achieve your dreams."

Lee Gil-nam, selected for the grand prize (Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award), grew up in a single-parent family. Starting with the KCCI Computer Utilization certification, Lee earned 10 different certifications. Lee said, "After entering a specialized high school, I obtained 10 certifications including Computer Utilization, got a job at Homeplus, and later enrolled at Kyung Hee University, fulfilling my dream of 'working first, then pursuing higher education.'"

Park Hee-jung, selected for the grand prize (KCCI Chairman Award), is a firefighter. Park said, "Obtaining the Computer Utilization Level 1 certification gave me 3 out of 5 extra points, which greatly helped me pass the firefighter civil service exam. When preparing materials for work audits, I used Excel functions to complete tasks that used to take my seniors over an hour in just 10 minutes, significantly increasing work efficiency after earning the certification."

Park Jae-geun, head of the KCCI Certification Evaluation Division, said, "This contest highlighted not only employment and self-development but also successful cases of social minorities achieving independence. We plan to expand support so that more people can gain new opportunities through national certifications."

KCCI plans to compile the announced outstanding cases into a "Collection of Outstanding Cases" and distribute it to related organizations nationwide. It will also be published on the KCCI Certification Evaluation Division website. Interview videos of the grand prize and excellence award winners will be produced and uploaded to the KCCI YouTube channel.

KCCI administers national technical qualification exams such as Computer Utilization, as well as national professional qualifications and nationally accredited certifications like Distribution Manager. According to the National Technical Qualification Statistical Yearbook published by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, 756,652 candidates took the Computer Utilization exam last year.