Incheon Attracts 'Bio Talent Development Center'... Accelerates Global Bio Cluster Expansion

139.8 Billion KRW Invested by 2025... New Center Construction at Yonsei University International Campus
Educational Programs Starting in 2024, Training 2,000 People Annually
Equipped with Biopharmaceutical Production Base, Research Institute, and Workforce Development

Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun (center) is having a conversation with officials from the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, Incheon Technopark, and Yonsei University regarding the confirmed hosting of the 'Bio Process Workforce Training Center,' followed by a commemorative photo.
[Photo by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City has gained momentum in building a world-class bio cluster by attracting a large-scale national project to establish a bio workforce training institute.

On the 15th, the city announced that it was finally selected for the 'Korean-style NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training) Program Operation - Bio Process Workforce Training Center Construction Project,' a joint public offering project by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Once the workforce training center opens, it will be the third government-led educational institution in the world following Europe and the United States, and the first in Asia.

This project, formed as a consortium between Incheon City, Incheon Technopark, and Yonsei University, will invest a total of 139.8 billion KRW by 2025, including 52.7 billion KRW in national funds, 19.2 billion KRW in city funds, and 67.9 billion KRW for Yonsei University's land provision and building construction.

The city plans to construct the center building at Yonsei University's International Campus from this year until 2023 and to operate full-scale educational programs starting in 2024.

Yonsei University, responsible for the educational operations, will run master's degree programs as well as non-degree courses for employees and job seekers, aiming to train 2,000 specialized personnel annually.

Once the workforce training center is fully operational, major domestic and foreign companies in related fields located in Songdo, Incheon, are expected to receive a supply of excellent talent.

Previously, Samsung Biologics decided to establish its fourth plant, the world's largest single factory, in Songdo, Incheon, and Celltrion also pledged to invest a total of 40 trillion KRW by 2030, including the construction of its third plant, to jointly develop the 'Incheon Bio Cluster.'

As the output of skilled personnel in related fields accelerates, it is expected to meet the demand for specialized talent not only domestically but also in East Asia, serving as a pivotal growth engine for the development of Incheon's bio industry.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the demand for new personnel in the bioprocessing (production facilities and quality control) sector is expected to reach 16,554 from last year through 2023.

However, the supply of personnel totals only 10,356 (an average of 2,071 per year), falling significantly short of demand. Especially, with the rapid increase in demand for new personnel in the growing advanced biopharmaceutical sector, workforce training in the bio field is urgently needed.

Mayor Park Namchun stated, "Songdo is the world's number one biopharmaceutical production city with accessibility to major global cities and excellent cooperative infrastructure with resident institutions," adding, "With the attraction of the workforce training center, Incheon will grow into a world-class bio innovation cluster equipped with the three pillars of biopharmaceutical production bases, various research institutes, and workforce training."

Meanwhile, to commemorate the attraction of the bio pharmaceutical process and development specialized workforce training center, Incheon City will operate 'Incheon Bio Week' around Songdo International City from the 20th to the 23rd.

On the 20th at 3 p.m., at Songdo Tri-Bowl, a '4-Person 4-Color Bio Talk Concert' will be held with participation from Mayor Park Namchun of Incheon, President Kim Taehan of Samsung Biologics, Chairman Seo Jungjin of Celltrion, and Vice President Ha Yeonseop of Yonsei University.

Additionally, on the 21st at 2 p.m., a bio industry policy forum involving Incheon City and the Korea Bio Association will be held at Yonsei University Songdo International Campus, and on the 23rd at 2 p.m., a bio company job consulting event will take place at Inha University or Yonsei University International Campus.

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