Songpa-gu to Support Up to 5.4 Million KRW for Hiring Unemployed Youth Interns at Small and Medium Enterprises

Recruitment of Participating Companies for Songpa-gu Small and Medium Enterprise Youth Employment Internship Program in 2021... Up to 5.4 Million KRW for 6 Months, 800,000 KRW per Month for Interns, 1 Million KRW per Month Support upon Regular Employment Conversion

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] According to the Employment Trend Survey for January 2021 released by Statistics Korea on February 10 this year, the unemployment rate among the nationwide youth population (ages 15-29) rose by 1.8% (52,000 people) compared to the same month last year, reaching 9.5%, the highest among all age groups.

In response, Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is implementing the 'Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Youth Employment Internship Program,' which provides employment opportunities for youth and alleviates financial burdens for SMEs.

The 'SME Youth Employment Internship Program' supports SMEs that hire unemployed youth as interns by providing up to 5.4 million KRW per person for up to six months.

The district first launched this program in 2019, and among 16 participating companies, 13 companies ultimately hired 13 youths as regular employees.

In 2020, nine companies participated, hiring nine youths, eight of whom were converted to regular employees.

This year, companies will be recruited until March 16, and after a screening process, 15 companies will be selected. Any SME located in Songpa-gu with five or more regular employees and plans to hire regular employees can apply. However, startups utilizing ICT and other technical patents, youth startup companies, venture companies, and those in the cultural content industry are eligible even if they have fewer than five employees.

Selected companies will receive support of 800,000 KRW per intern per month for three months. Upon conversion to regular employment, an additional 1 million KRW per month will be provided for another three months.

Companies wishing to participate can refer to the announcement on the Songpa-gu website and submit their applications in person at the Job Policy Office on the 8th floor of the district office or via email (kk5343@songpa.go.kr).

Internship eligibility is for unemployed youth aged 15 to 34 residing in Songpa-gu.

Mayor Park Seong-su of Songpa-gu emphasized, “The starting point of the district’s policies is purely for the residents,” and added, “We will actively develop and operate various employment support programs to overcome youth employment difficulties.”

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