Government Announces Comprehensive Employment Support Measures for People in Their 50s
Focus on Job Development, Vocational Training, and Work Experience
Regional Employment Networks and Customized Consulting to Be Expanded
As the employment rate for people in their 50s has declined for more than 12 consecutive months and more individuals in this age group are struggling to find reemployment, the government has announced support measures. The government stated that it will provide comprehensive assistance by developing jobs tailored to people in their 50s, expanding vocational training, and increasing opportunities for work experience.
On May 15, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced its "Strengthened Employment Support Plan for People in Their 50s." The purpose of this plan is to provide comprehensive support for stable reemployment of people in their 50s, ranging from identifying suitable jobs, offering vocational training and work experience, to job placement services.
To identify jobs tailored to people in their 50s, the government will announce promising qualifications with high employment rates or appropriate wage levels by quarter and by region. By analyzing national technical qualification data, the Ministry selected five recommended qualifications?such as Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic and Electrician?that are easy for beginners to obtain and have high employment rates, and included them in the plan. The Ministry will also conduct regional job demand surveys and on-site corporate investigations in parallel, and provide customized job consulting based on these findings.
Additionally, using the Korea Polytechnics' specialized programs for middle-aged individuals, which are related to acquiring qualifications or practical skills, the government will provide training opportunities to 7,500 people this year. For those currently employed who wish to change or advance their careers, weekend and evening courses will also be available. Various training programs, such as national key and strategic industry job training courses that enable participants to obtain promising qualifications, will be established as well.
To support job experience, a career support program will be implemented to provide opportunities to gain work experience in the field. Through the first supplementary budget this year, the number of people supported will be increased from 910 to 2,000. Participating individuals in their 50s will receive up to 1.5 million won per month, and participating companies will receive 400,000 won per month for up to three months.
For integrated employment support, a regional employment network for middle-aged individuals will be operated. The government will collaborate with local government job centers, Korea Polytechnics, Saeil Centers, and others to provide customized support for both individuals and companies. For jobs facing labor shortages, such as village bus drivers, a project will be promoted to support workforce matching through cooperation among relevant institutions.
Kim Minseok, Acting Minister of Employment and Labor, stated, "Korea is now a super-aged society, and 9.54 million people in the second baby boom generation (those in their 50s) are facing large-scale retirement." He continued, "With the employment rate for people in their 50s showing a downward trend for more than 12 months compared to the same period last year, labor market instability is emerging, making employment support policies for this group increasingly important." He added, "Going forward, we will continue to strengthen comprehensive and customized services, including job development, training, work experience, and employment support."
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