Gyeongju Gyeongbuk Millennium Forest Garden (Photo courtesy of Gyeongbuk Province)
SEOUL, April 6 (Korea Bizwire) — National certification exams in forest and plant protection are seeing a steady rise in popularity, fueled largely by a surge in applicants in their 50s and 60s preparing for post-retirement careers.
According to data released by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRDK), older adults are not only driving demand for these credentials but also outperforming younger generations in post-certification employment rates.
In a report released ahead of Arbor Day, HRDK analyzed six national qualifications in forestry and plant protection — including four in forestry (Forestry Technician, Forestry Engineer, Forestry Industrial Engineer, and Forestry Craftsman) and two in plant protection (Plant Protection Engineer and Industrial Engineer).
The HRDK interprets the trend as evidence that mid-to-late career workers are actively acquiring these qualifications in preparation for retirement and second careers. (Yonhap)
Over the past five years, the number of test takers has grown at an average annual rate of 5.4%, with certificate holders increasing by 6.2% annually.
The strongest growth was observed in the Plant Protection Industrial Engineer certification, which saw an average yearly increase of 11.4% in applicants. In terms of qualifications obtained, the Forestry Craftsman certificate led with a 9.9% annual growth rate.
A key driver behind this trend is a 2018 revision to the Forest Protection Act, which introduced the “Tree Doctor” licensing system. The law stipulates that only licensed Tree Doctors may diagnose and treat trees, prompting many professionals and aspiring entrants to pursue the necessary credentials.
Eligibility for the Tree Doctor exam requires both a national technical qualification in forestry, landscaping, or plant protection and relevant work experience.
A 2023 survey of certificate recipients showed that 55.9% were aged 50 or older, with that age group dominating all categories except the Plant Protection Engineer. Most test takers were already employed, with primary motivations including job advancement (43%) and personal development (25.8%).
A key driver behind this trend is a 2018 revision to the Forest Protection Act, which introduced the “Tree Doctor” licensing system. (Yonhap)
The HRDK interprets the trend as evidence that mid-to-late career workers are actively acquiring these qualifications in preparation for retirement and second careers. Notably, job placement rates among older recipients were high: as of July 2024, 48% of those in their 50s and 69.6% of those 60 and older had secured employment — surpassing younger cohorts.
Some certifications, such as the Forestry and Plant Protection Industrial Engineer, are also offered through competency-based programs, which allow individuals to earn the qualification through structured training and external evaluation without meeting standard exam eligibility requirements.
As South Korea’s aging workforce redefines retirement, the forestry and plant protection sectors are emerging as unexpected yet fertile ground for new professional chapters.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
