Gyeongbuk Office of Education, 'A Better Tomorrow Through Employment!' ... This Year's Vocational Education Expo 盛了

Blended Exhibition Combining Online and Offline with Metaverse

Gyeongbuk Office of Education 2022 Vocational Education Expo 'Adding Value to the Future of Vocational Education in Korea' Opening Ceremony Scene.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] The Gyeongbuk Office of Education successfully concluded the ‘2022 Gyeongbuk Office of Education Vocational Education Expo,’ held as a blended expo (online-offline hybrid) with the metaverse at the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center over two days from July 13 to 14 under the slogan ‘A Better Tomorrow through Employment!’

The Vocational Education Expo aims to present the vision of vocational education in the changing future industrial society, provide employment information, improve the employment rate of vocational high school students through on-site interviews, offer vocational career information to middle school students, and enhance the perception of vocational high schools.

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education started the nation’s first vocational education expo in 1999 with the 1st Gyeongbuk Industrial Education Festival under the slogan “Providing Opportunities for Career Choices Suited to Aptitude and Talent.”

In 2020, amid the COVID-19 situation, the education office held the country’s first blended online-offline expo and won the Minister of the Interior and Safety Award at the ‘2020 Government Innovation Best Practices Competition.’ In this event, major activities such as the opening ceremony and talk concert, as well as real-time vocational high school admission counseling and vocational education promotion events, were simultaneously held based on the metaverse platform, once again presenting a model of vocational education ahead of the times.

With expanded on-site participation, more than 3,000 people including middle and vocational high school students, parents, teachers, local residents, companies, and related institution officials visited the venue. They attended the opening ceremony, toured the school (Startup Biz Cool) promotional hall and vocational education exploration room, and participated in experiences. At the on-site recruitment hall, 51 companies participated, providing a hiring opportunity through on-site interviews for a total of 1,755 vocational high school students.

Additionally, the online opening ceremony, global field learning launch ceremony, talk concert, school (Startup Biz Cool) promotional hall, vocational education exploration room, and vocational education innovation district booths were broadcast live on YouTube through on-site interviews at the expo, recording over 12,000 viewers.

A metaverse expo jointly operated by 55 vocational high schools in Gyeongbuk.

In particular, the metaverse expo operated jointly by 55 vocational high schools in Gyeongbuk attracted about 40,000 participants who watched real-time videos on the main stage, took part in events such as solving O/X questions about vocational education in Gyeongbuk, visited schools to check school status and curriculum operation materials, and received admission counseling.

The opening ceremony was themed ‘Gyeongbuk Vocational Education, Adding Value to Korea’s Future Vocational Education,’ emphasizing that the current achievements of Gyeongbuk vocational education are the result of deeply rooted vocational education rather than short-term efforts, confirming that it is evolving and challenging for a better tomorrow for students.

The talk concert held over two days on July 13 and 14, hosted by comedians Kim Hyesun and Song Younggil, featured vocational high school graduates, current students, and parents sharing honest stories about choosing vocational high schools, attending them, and career paths after graduation. It provided a valuable opportunity to improve middle school students’ perception of vocational high schools and offer career information.

Fourteen middle schools in the province visited the talk concert venue in person, while about 100 schools participated via video conference, creating an atmosphere as if they were attending the expo on-site. Communication through chat and comments between the school sites added realism and interest.

The expo videos later broadcast online will be edited and produced by program and school and provided as content through the Gyeongbuk Office of Education’s Matkul Meokkul TV and the Gyeongbuk Office of Education Employment Support Center website, enabling middle school students and local residents to access vocational high school information anytime and anywhere.

Superintendent Lim Jong-sik said, “Through this expo, we provided students with improved perceptions of vocational high schools and employment hopes, and companies with opportunities to hire excellent talent, offering a great chance for industry-academia-government cooperation, communication, and sharing.”

He also said, “Programs and various events for middle school students, parents, and local residents to explore careers and jobs were prepared to be easily accessible through on-site visits, the metaverse, and online comments, creating an opportunity for many people to take an interest in vocational high schools.”

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