Nationwide Implementation from July 8
Introduction of 'Digital Badges' This Year
66% of Companies Say "Will Use as Reference for Hiring"
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) announced that it will conduct the '2025 Vocational Basic Competency Assessment' for approximately 62,000 third-year students at 571 vocational high schools nationwide over four days starting July 8. The assessment is jointly operated by the Ministry of Education and the KCCI, with the KCCI in charge of implementation.
This assessment was introduced in 2015 to objectively verify students' practical skills and to serve as a reference for companies when hiring high school graduates. The number of test-takers this year increased by about 3,600 compared to the previous year.
The assessment covers five areas: communication (Korean and English), mathematical utilization, problem-solving, and job adaptation, all based on the National Competency Standards. It evaluates abilities such as information searching, analytical skills, and situational judgment required in actual workplaces, enabling companies to assess applicants' practical competencies.
Starting this year, instead of issuing printed results, digital badges will be awarded so that students can prove their competencies online. These badges are expected to be linked to the Ministry of Employment and Labor's employment service portal.
The Vocational Basic Competency Assessment has recently gained trust as a reference indicator in the recruitment of high school graduates. According to a survey conducted by the KCCI in May, 66.3% of companies responded that they intend to use the assessment results in their hiring processes. In fact, organizations such as Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Housing Finance Corporation, Korea Aerospace Industries, DB HiTek, and Crown Confectionery are already utilizing the results in recruitment.
The KCCI has proposed to the government to expand the assessment from once to twice a year.
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