Gwangyang Steelworks Supports Local Developmentally Disabled with Bread

Contributing to Job Creation for People with Disabilities in the Region through Systematic and Professional Baking Education

POSCO 1% Sharing Foundation Supports 40 Million KRW, Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority Supports 30 Million KRW

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Lee Jinsu) announced on the 21st that it held the second-year launch ceremony for the bakery training program for people with developmental disabilities at Seosan Narae in Gwangyang-eup, actively spreading the corporate citizenship management philosophy.

The bakery training program for people with disabilities is a project that expands social participation of people with disabilities in the region and provides opportunities for economic independence through job creation by offering systematic and professional bakery education.

Following April last year, Gwangyang Steelworks plans to support a total of 10 people with developmental disabilities in Gwangyang City to achieve their dreams of becoming bakers this year as well, with 40 million KRW from the POSCO 1% Sharing Foundation designated donation and an additional 30 million KRW support from Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority.

The first-year education, in which 35 out of 37 participants completed the course, resulted in 7 people successfully finding employment, and overall, the trainees’ job skills improved by an average of 12%. This is expected to serve as a solid foundation for local people with developmental disabilities to achieve proactive growth as members of one community this year as well.

In particular, through the ‘Bread Sharing Day,’ where they gift bread and cookies they made themselves to local residents, they plan to share the love they received with their neighbors, drawing even more attention. During the first year, a total of three ‘Bread Sharing Day’ events were held for about 1,000 local residents.

The launch ceremony was attended by Lee Cheolho, Deputy Director of Gwangyang Steelworks, Choi Yeoncheol, Vice President of Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority, Jang Hyeonggon, Director of Gwangyang City Economic Welfare Bureau, and Park Jeongeun, Director of Seosan Narae.

The attendees delivered messages encouraging the trainees’ enthusiasm for learning and active participation, supporting their dreams, and added meaning by participating in making cookies together and engaging in community sharing volunteer work.

Lee Cheolho, Deputy Director of Gwangyang Steelworks, said, “Since jobs are the flower of welfare for people with disabilities, employment is the greatest hope and gift for them. I hope they study hard this year as well and connect to employment,” adding, “Going forward, Gwangyang Steelworks will fulfill its role as a corporate citizen by participating in various sharing activities and projects to help people with disabilities in the local community achieve their dreams.”

Meanwhile, Gwangyang Steelworks is also carrying out various social contribution activities and support projects for people with disabilities in the region, such as providing laundry support jobs including washing, drying, and packaging through the ‘Happiness Connection Laundry’ project.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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