Training 200 'Cheongnyeon Global Marketers'... Recruiting SMEs for New Business Participation

Source=Ministry of SMEs and Startups

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daeseop] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 10th that it is recruiting participating SMEs to newly promote the 'Youth Global Marketer Project' in collaboration with the Small and Medium Business Corporation.

This project was prepared to train export specialists for SMEs facing difficult business environments due to COVID-19 and other factors. Participating SMEs will be recruited from the 11th to the 29th of this month.

The number of youth global marketers to be selected this time is 200, with up to 2 applicants per company. Considering the economic situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment will be divided into three or more rounds at one-month intervals by July this year. Selected youth global marketers will complete trade theory, practical trade, trade English, and other courses through e-learning for three weeks.

Eligible applicants are youths aged 19 to under 34 who were newly hired for the purpose of utilizing export specialists since July last year or newly hired upon recommendation by the Korea Small and Medium Venture Trade Association, the project executing organization.

Additionally, a certain level of language proficiency such as a TOEIC score of 700 or HSK level 5 or higher is required. Graduates majoring in trade-related fields such as international commerce and those who have completed trade personnel training courses like the Korea International Trade Association's 'Regional Specialized Youth Trade Expert Program (GTEP)' will be given preference during selection.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small and Medium Business Corporation especially give preference to companies whose sales have decreased by more than 10% due to COVID-19, promising export SMEs, Brand K companies, and companies receiving support for labor costs, four major insurances, education expenses, etc., from local governments (including affiliated organizations).

Selected companies will be given priority when applying for overseas certification acquisition support projects and export voucher projects. E-learning education is provided free of charge, and overseas marketing expenses (round-trip airfare, overseas accommodation expenses, etc.) will be provided up to KRW 4.3 million per youth marketer, with mentor support fees paid monthly up to KRW 200,000 for a maximum of six months.

Considering the global travel restrictions due to COVID-19, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small and Medium Business Corporation plan to involve youth marketers in overseas marketing targeting trade countries where entry restrictions have been lifted through diplomatic efforts. Youth global marketers will receive support for airfare and accommodation expenses and engage in sales activities such as meeting buyers and securing product orders locally overseas.

For companies wishing to export to countries where entry restrictions continue, support will be provided to invite overseas buyers to Korea to proceed with export contracts. Local SME offices will cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to exempt inbound buyers from the 14-day quarantine.

To facilitate rapid work adaptation and organizational culture sharing for youth global marketers, one mentor will be assigned from senior employees within the same workplace, and experts with abundant overseas export experience will be separately selected to serve as mentors for youth marketers.

SMEs wishing to participate in the Youth Global Marketer Project can apply online through the Korea Small and Medium Venture Trade Association website.

Shim Jaeyoon, Director of the Global Growth Policy Division at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "SMEs have long faced difficulties in exports due to a lack of export specialists, and we hope that the promotion of the Youth Global Marketer Training Project will help SMEs struggling due to COVID-19 and other challenges."

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