KOTRA Promotes 'FTA Practical Workforce Training Project' for Export Companies

Expansion of Target Schools This Year from 5 to 7

Students who participated in last year's practical workforce training program are taking a commemorative photo after the training ended. (Photo by KOTRA)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] KOTRA announced on the 10th that it will promote the ‘2020 Employment-Linked FTA Practical Workforce Training Project’ to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies facing labor shortages to hire specialized high school students equipped with export practical skills.

Now in its second year, this project provides export practical and FTA utilization education to specialized high school students and conducts domestic and overseas training. The program aims to cultivate export talent with practical capabilities and offer employment opportunities at SMEs and mid-sized companies.

Last year, 102 students from five specialized high schools received training, and among them, 84 were employed by 76 export SMEs. Building on last year’s success, the number of target schools has increased from five to seven this year. Seoul Girls' Commercial High School, Cheonan Girls' Commercial High School, and Busan Taxation High School were newly selected.

This project will proceed with company recruitment and FTA practical education from May to October, company-student interviews and employment agreement signing from June to December, followed by on-site training and official employment. The FTA practical education consists of 65 hours of theoretical classes, domestic and overseas training, and certification acquisition such as Origin Specialist and International Trade Specialist. After completing the practical education, a provisional employment agreement between companies and students will be signed through interviews. Students will complete about three months of on-site training and officially be employed upon graduation.

KOTRA will discover promising SMEs and mid-sized companies through cooperation with related organizations. It plans to provide various recruitment opportunities by holding job fairs and nationwide briefing sessions.

Jung Seok-jin, Director General of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s General Planning Division, said, "Last year, students adapted quickly to the field, resulting in high satisfaction among hiring companies," and added, "We hope many SMEs and mid-sized companies will participate this year as well."

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