Ministry of Employment: "Temporary Approval for Online Remote Classes in Vocational Training... Training Fees to Be Paid"

Minimizing Gaps in Vocational Training Amid COVID-19... Supporting Stable Operations
Korea e-Learning Association and Remote Training Employer Groups Provide Free Content

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of Employment and Labor will temporarily allow online remote classes starting from the 1st of next month to prevent gaps in vocational training caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Online training courses will be recognized if they are the same as existing ones and focus more on theoretical courses rather than practical training. There are three main ways for trainees to receive group training online.

First, using video lecture platforms such as Zoom or Skype to conduct real-time training. Communication and Q&A are possible in real-time via video instead of in a classroom. This is recognized as actual group training, so training fees are paid normally, and training incentives are also provided to eligible trainees.

The second method is to use STEP (Smart Training Education Platform), which is equipped with public e-learning content. Training institutions produce video lectures by their affiliated instructors and upload them to STEP, allowing trainees to take courses remotely. Training fees and training incentives are also paid normally in this case.

There is also a method of utilizing about 300 public contents registered on STEP. Training institutions select content they deem appropriate, and trainees take courses remotely.

Lastly, there is a method of using content owned by remote training employer organizations. Remote training employer organizations include the Korea e-Learning Association, Korea Edutech Industry Association, and Korea Digital Convergence Association.

They have decided to provide about 130 contents developed and owned by their member companies free of charge to group training institutions in response to the COVID-19 situation.

Jang Sin-cheol, Director of the Vocational Competency Policy Bureau, emphasized, "This measure will prepare for the prolonged gap in vocational training caused by COVID-19 and serve as an opportunity to expand hybrid training combining online and offline methods. We hope it will help improve skill development in preparation for future labor market revitalization."

For more details, please check the Vocational Training Portal HRD-Net (www.hrd.go.kr).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.