Lee Jae-yong Emphasizes Win-Win Management 'Hope Stepping Stone 2.0'... Supporting Youth Independence

Signing of Joint Operation Agreement with Ministry of Employment, Ministry of Welfare, Fundraising Association, and Hamkke Ilhaneun Foundation
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Samsung announced on the 29th that it will launch 'Samsung Hope Didimdol 2.0,' a program supporting the economic independence of youth preparing for self-reliance through employment education. This is an implementation of the philosophy of 'pursuing mutual growth and ethical management' emphasized by Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong.

On the same day, Samsung held an inauguration ceremony at the Samsung Electronics Human Resources Development Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and signed a joint business operation agreement with four organizations: the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Community Chest of Korea, and the Together Foundation. Attendees included Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor; Choi Jong-gyun, Director of Population Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare; Jeong Ik-jung, Director of the Child Rights Protection Agency; Joo Ho-young and Kim Seong-won, members of the People Power Party; Kim Gyo-heung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea; Kang Eun-mi, member of the Justice Party; Kim Byung-joon, Chairman of the Community Chest; Lee Se-jung, Chairman of the Foundation; Park Seung-hee, President of Samsung Electronics CR; youth preparing for self-reliance education; Didimdol Samsung employees serving as mentors; and about 100 donors who pledged support.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor provides administrative support such as training allowances and education project expenses as part of the 'Future Tomorrow Work Experience Project.' The Ministry of Health and Welfare recruits trainees and promotes the project through nationwide self-reliance support agencies and the affiliated public Child Rights Protection Agency. The Community Chest ensures that project funds are used appropriately through project evaluation. The Foundation manages the overall operation of the education.

Minister Lee said, "For the stable and sustainable independence of youth preparing for self-reliance, it is most important to establish a foundation for independence through work experience and jobs," adding, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor will cooperate with companies to provide work experience opportunities to about 20,000 youth this year and over 48,000 next year." Chairman Kim expressed hope that "the project will become a stepping stone that opens shining possibilities for the future of youth preparing for self-reliance."

On February 2nd, at the opening ceremony of the 'Samsung Hope Stepping Stone' Jeonnam Center held in Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, officials attended and toured the living spaces for youth preparing for independence.
From the left, Park Seung-hee, President of CR at Samsung Electronics; Seo Dong-wook, Chairman of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council; Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do; and Kim Byung-jun, Chairman of the Community Chest of Korea, Sarangui Yeolmae.
[Photo by Samsung Electronics]

The Didimdol project is Samsung's representative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, started with ideas and donations from Samsung Electronics employees. While Didimdol 1.0 focused on supporting housing and emotional stability for youth preparing for self-reliance, Didimdol 2.0 is a program that helps them build technical and functional skills to achieve economic independence.

Samsung launched Didimdol 1.0 in 2013 to mark the 20th anniversary of the New Management Declaration. It currently operates 10 centers in Busan, Daegu, Gangwon, Gwangju, Gyeongnam, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk, and Jeonnam. An additional 10 billion KRW will be invested to open two new centers in Daejeon and Chungbuk.

The centers began operations in 2016 based on 25 billion KRW in employee donations. Samsung Electronics has expanded the project area by investing 25 billion KRW in company support funds since 2019. Up to the first half of this year, 20,799 youth preparing for self-reliance have participated in Didimdol project support activities.

Samsung conducted a survey last year with about 200 youth residents and center staff from the 10 centers, which showed that employment and career planning education was the most needed.

Reflecting the survey results, five job training courses led by affiliates will start in the second half of the year: electronic and information technology (IT) manufacturing technician training, semiconductor precision piping technician training (both by Samsung Electronics), Korean cuisine chef training (Samsung Welstory), IT service technician training (Samsung SDS), and shipbuilding technician training (Samsung Heavy Industries). These courses will run for 2 to 3 months per course for about 120 youth trainees. Next year, four additional courses will be added, including online advertising and promotion practice, heavy equipment operator certification, pet grooming, and nail art technician training.

Using the Human Resources Development Center in Yongin and the Samsung Heavy Industries Technical Training Center in Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, trainees will be provided with single-occupancy rooms and meals while receiving instruction. During the training, a 'Job Camp' will be held to teach resume writing and interview skills. After completing the training, professional consultant employment counseling services and partner company recruitment fairs will be operated.

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