Ulju County to Strengthen Youth Employment and Job Support

Up to 1 Million Won for Self-Development Expenses
Expanded Support for Interview Costs and SME Internship Programs

On January 5, Ulju County in Ulsan announced that it will strengthen and advance systematic employment and job support policies for local youth this year.

Ulju County has prepared support measures covering all stages, from job preparation and job searching to employment linkage, to alleviate the economic and practical burdens faced by young people during the job-seeking process. The support targets young residents of Ulju County aged 18 to 39.

The county plans to implement customized policies tailored to youth needs in stages, including: △ a youth self-development subsidy program, △ a youth interview suit rental program, △ a youth interview expense subsidy program, and △ a youth internship program at small and medium-sized enterprises.

The youth self-development subsidy program supports language and qualification exam fees and course fees, up to a maximum of 1 million won per person. Starting this year, the scope of support has been expanded to include textbook costs as well.

To reduce the financial burden incurred during the job-seeking process, the county will also operate the youth interview suit rental program and the youth interview expense subsidy program. Both programs provide support up to four times per person per year. The suit rental program has expanded its coverage to include interview shoes in addition to suits. The interview expense subsidy program provides 50,000 won per interview.

The youth internship program at small and medium-sized enterprises is a system in which small and medium-sized manufacturing companies located in Ulju County receive a monthly wage subsidy of 800,000 won per intern for up to nine months when they hire local youth as interns. If the intern is converted to a regular employee, an additional incentive of 1 million won is provided, and if the intern remains employed for nine months, an additional 2 million won is given, which is expected to enhance employment sustainability.

Details on eligibility and specifics for each program can be found on the Ulju County Office website or on the Ulju County youth policy platform, 'Dream Wings.'

An official from Ulju County stated, "We will establish a comprehensive support system that connects the preparation stage to actual employment, increase the youth employment rate, and support local settlement for young people as well as the sustainable growth of local industries."