Amidst a labor shortage at industrial sites, the government has taken steps to address the increasing number of foreign workers. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – Amidst a labor shortage at industrial sites, the government has taken steps to address the increasing number of foreign workers. Vice Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Sung-hee visited Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, and announced a comprehensive plan during an on-site meeting with six shipbuilding companies that provide vocational training for low-skilled foreign workers.
Lee stated, “We are committed to actively supporting the development of skills among low-skilled foreign workers through pre-employment, post-employment, and on-the-job training. We aim to extend specialized training to non-professional foreign workers in various sectors, including the shipbuilding industry, to facilitate the early employment of over 4,000 individuals.”
This year, the government introduced specialized training for the shipbuilding industry as a pilot program to help foreign workers on non-professional work visas (E-9) settle into the country through the employment permit system. Six shipbuilders will provide job, language, and cultural training to foreign workers at their suppliers for a duration of more than four weeks upon their arrival, with plans to train over 500 people by year-end.
The government intends to increase the number of trainees to 4,000 next year and expand the range of industries, focusing on those with high training demand. The scope of functional and Korean language training will also be broadened, conducted over two to three months in the workers’ home country before arrival, with the program extended from three countries (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Vietnam) to seven countries, accommodating a higher number of trainees.
Furthermore, vocational training for foreign workers in five occupations, including forklift operation and automobile maintenance, will also be expanded to focus on occupations in high demand within the field, as emphasized by Lee.
Despite introducing a record number of foreign workers (120,000) this year to address the labor shortage, the industry still faces a dearth of skilled workers. Lee stressed the importance of training low-skilled foreign workers and supporting their long-term employment in order to meet this challenge.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
