Securing the Foundation for Future Growth Through Talent Development
Lee Seokhee, CEO of SK On, emphasized the importance of talent management, stating, "The future of the battery industry ultimately depends on technological talent."
According to SK On on June 11, CEO Lee delivered a special lecture at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon the previous day. He said, "Since taking office, I have focused on research and development (R&D) and production personnel as the core pillars, prioritizing technological capabilities and on-site experience," and added, "SK On will grow together with the best talent and lead technological innovation in the battery industry." Approximately 100 people, including professors and graduate students in battery-related fields, attended the lecture.
The lecture covered four main topics: the outlook for the electric vehicle battery industry, SK On's growth story and strategy, SK On's technological innovation and future direction, and career advice. CEO Lee repeatedly emphasized the message that "the best technological talent is the future of the battery industry," highlighting growth and innovation. He also introduced SK On's differentiated technological innovations, such as high-voltage mid-nickel batteries and cell-to-pack (CTP) technology, as well as the company's world-class technological competitiveness in key performance areas such as energy density, ultra-fast charging, and safety.
CEO Lee previously served as a professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at KAIST from 2010 to 2012. Drawing on this experience, he explained the trends in the battery industry and the direction of corporate strategy through real-life examples. At the end of the lecture, he provided career advice and held a Q&A session with KAIST students.
SK On considers fostering R&D talent as a core pillar for future growth and continues related activities. Key executives visit domestic science and engineering universities to hold industry lectures and directly introduce the company's technological capabilities and vision. Last month, Park Kisoo, head of SK On's R&D division, gave a lecture at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST).
SK On is also nurturing master's and doctoral-level talent through battery contract departments at universities such as KAIST, UNIST, Sungkyunkwan University, and Hanyang University. The company also supports technological talent through joint research centers with Yonsei University and Hanyang University. Currently, SK On is recruiting industry-academic scholarship students until June 16, and is hiring experienced professionals and new PhDs year-round.
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