LG Chem Establishes 'Myeongjang' System for Top Field Experts

At the master certification ceremony held on the 15th at the LG Twin Towers in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, (from left) Master Gong Guk-jin, Master Kim Seong-chun, Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol, Master An Dong-hee, Master Yang Bang-yeol, and Master Kim Min-jung are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by LG Chem

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] LG Chem has established the 'LG Chem Master Craftsman' system to certify the top field technicians. This initiative aims to encourage experts with skills and experience and to provide growth motivation to the MZ generation field workforce.

On the 18th, LG Chem announced that it selected five 'LG Chem Master Craftsmen' for the first time and held a certificate awarding ceremony attended by CEO and Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol and CHO and Vice President Kim Sung-min. Through the field expert development system, LG Chem selects outstanding talents with expertise within the factory as 'LG Chem Experts.' Among the selected experts, the top technician at each business site is appointed as an LG Chem Master Craftsman. This is the first time LG Chem has introduced a certification system for field technical personnel.

The LG Chem Master Craftsman is a field expert with the highest professional skills and experience in production, equipment, and processes at their affiliated business site, and is regarded as a role model by juniors. The selected masters are registered in the business site's Hall of Fame and receive various benefits such as bonuses and preferential treatment in promotion and appointment. Since this is the first year of the system's implementation, LG Chem separately selected LG Chem Master Craftsmen and LG Chem Experts.

The honor of being selected as the first 'LG Chem Master Craftsmen' went to Yang Bang-yeol and Ahn Dong-hee, national quality masters; Kim Sung-chun, who possesses the industry's best design skills; Gong Guk-jin, an expert in new product process improvement; and Kim Min-jung, who holds a patent for OLED polarizers. The selection process involved rigorous evaluations including ▲internal recommendations ▲external expert reviews by a panel of specialists and professors ▲leadership multi-faceted evaluations by superiors and peers ▲and interviews with management.

Master Craftsman Gong Guk-jin said, "As the first LG Chem Master Craftsman, I will lead juniors with excitement and a beginner's mindset," adding, "Going forward, I will work harder on quality management with experts so that LG Chem is known for putting customers first."

LG Chem Master Craftsmen will serve as technical advisors for factory equipment and process improvement activities. They will also actively engage in nurturing juniors through specialized job training and mentoring activities.

Among the LG Chem Experts, 37 outstanding technical talents who passed specialized training and tests in problem-solving, process safety management, and project management were selected. They receive various benefits including bonuses and act as project leaders driving production and equipment/process improvement activities.

Senior Expert Kim Jin-ok said, "I am pleased that a growth path to develop expertise has been created," and added, "I will create synergy with colleagues and achieve self-realization through continuous self-development."

This expert development system is expected to effectively support the growth and motivation of the MZ generation, who make up half of the field technical workforce. An interview conducted by LG Chem with field technical employees with less than five years of service showed that 88% considered acquiring 'expertise' as organizational growth.

Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol stated, "When field expertise and technical skills like those of master craftsmen are supported, we can provide quality that satisfies customers and further grow LG Chem into a global leading sustainable science company," adding, "We will continuously strengthen field technical competitiveness by refining development systems tailored to the characteristics of MZ generation technical employees who value achievements such as acquiring expertise."

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