Last Year, 38,000 Industrial Technology Workers Shortage... 'Software, Chemistry, Biohealth' Workforce Crisis

KIAT, Results of the '2020 Industrial Technology Workforce Supply and Demand Survey'

Labor Shortage Rate in 12 Key Industries at 2.5%... Higher in Software, Chemistry, and Biohealth
Small and Medium Enterprises Face 7.3 Times Higher Shortage Rate Compared to Large Corporations

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] It was revealed that nearly 38,000 industrial technology personnel were lacking last year. In particular, labor shortages were more severe in key industries such as software, chemistry, and biohealth among the 12 major industries. Additionally, the smaller the business size, the higher the shortage rate, with small and medium enterprises struggling to secure industrial technology personnel.

On the 22nd, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) announced the results of the "2020 Industrial Technology Workforce Supply and Demand Survey (as of the end of 2019)" conducted on a sample of 12,752 nationwide businesses with 10 or more employees.

According to the report, as of the end of 2019, the total number of industrial technology personnel was 1,672,937, an increase of 0.7% (11,491 people) compared to the previous year. The number of personnel shortages also increased. To maintain normal business operations, production facility operation, and respond to customer orders, the total number of additional personnel needed was 37,924, up 1.2% (440 people) from the previous year. The shortage rate remained at 2.2%, the same level as the previous year.

The industrial technology workforce in the 12 key industries?machinery, display, semiconductor, biohealth, textiles, automobile, electronics, shipbuilding, steel, chemistry, software, and IT business?totaled 1,102,119, a 0.1% (1,014 people) increase from the previous year. The average shortage rate in these industries was 2.5%, with six sectors showing higher rates: software (4.0%), chemistry (3.3%), biohealth (3.2%), machinery (2.7%), textiles (2.6%), and electronics (2.6%).

Labor shortages were more severe in smaller businesses. Compared to large-scale businesses (500 or more employees), the shortage rate in small and medium-sized businesses (fewer than 300 employees) was 7.3 times higher, and in mid-sized businesses (300?499 employees), it was 2.0 times higher.

A KIAT official stated, "Small and medium enterprises continue to experience a mismatch in technical personnel due to job seekers’ avoidance and aging workforce," adding, "There is a need to promote workforce development policies focused on practical application in industrial sites and to reform training for current employees centered on new technologies."

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