The second-life battery industry represents a futuristic and economically valuable sector. (Image courtesy of Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s electric vehicle expansion has driven a sharp increase in demand for talent in the secondary battery sector, with job openings more than doubling over the past seven years, according to a government report.
The Ministry of Science and ICT revealed that job postings for secondary battery-related roles rose from 2,123 in 2017 to 5,227 in 2023, highlighting the rapid growth of the industry.
The findings were based on data from 307 companies, including 173 members of the Korea Battery Industry Association, spanning over 11,300 job postings and 21,111 recruitment listings analyzed with the aid of artificial intelligence.
The report noted that most openings required a bachelor’s degree or less (78.8%), focused on engineering fields (60.3%), and favored experienced candidates (55.9%). Nearly half of all postings (47%) were concentrated in metropolitan areas, though regional demand varied by role.
Smart factory roles like data scientists (58.3%) and software developers (52.2%) were predominantly sought after in urban centers, while positions for production and process engineers in materials, cells, modules, and battery packs were more prevalent in provinces such as North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang.
Advanced degrees were notably preferred in Daejeon (37.9%) compared to the national average (7.8%).
Facility expansions by battery companies contributed to an annual increase in demand for roles like production engineers (33%) and materials developers (25%), with a clear preference for experienced professionals ready to integrate into active projects.
Research and development positions showed higher demand for master’s and PhD holders, particularly in core battery development areas.
Based on these findings, the ministry outlined six policy recommendations, including expanding specialized training programs, balancing R&D investments between next-generation and lithium-ion batteries, and aligning workforce development with regional industrial needs.
These measures will inform upcoming government initiatives aimed at fostering a skilled, adaptable workforce for the rapidly evolving battery sector.
The proposals have been reviewed and approved by the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology’s Future Talent Committee.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
