Yeongdeungpo-gu Operates Virtual Company Neat Company for Isolated and Reclusive Youth

Operation of Virtual Company NeatCompany for 20 Isolated At-Risk Youth from September to November... Online and Offline Commuting, Outdoor Activities, Year-End Ceremony, and More for a Short but Fulfilling Work Life... Expected Triple Benefits of Daily Life Recovery, Relationship Building, and Skill Enhancement for Isolated Youth

Choi Ho-gwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District Office

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) will operate the ‘NEET Company Yeongdeungpo Branch’ from September to November to actively support the daily recovery and vitality enhancement of reclusive and NEET youth facing isolation risks.

The term NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) refers to young unemployed individuals who reject education, employment, and training, and have no intention to work.

According to a survey on isolated and reclusive youth released by Seoul City in January this year, about 129,000 young people, or 4.5% of Seoul’s youth, are counted as isolated and reclusive youth, highlighting it as a social issue.

In response, the district operates the ‘NEET Company Yeongdeungpo Branch,’ a virtual company concept where unemployed youth can come to work, helping them break free from isolation, form a sense of belonging and camaraderie, and strengthen their personal capabilities to reintegrate into society. NEET Company is an innovative role-playing program where unemployed youth join a virtual company and experience company life such as online and offline clock-ins and in-house activities.

Any young person feeling socially isolated?losing a sense of belonging due to unemployment, spending long hours alone at home, and falling into self-reproach before sleep thinking “I feel like I did nothing today”?can join NEET Company Yeongdeungpo Branch.

The first step to joining NEET Company is the reverse interview. The reverse interview is an online interview where the applicant asks questions to the interviewers, strengthening the applicant’s motivation to join. After the interview, an orientation is held for NEET Company entry, including team assignment (two teams of 10 people each), team member introductions, and work method guidance.

NEET Company members clock in and out online daily and come to the Seoul Youth Center Yeongdeungpo Orang once a week to regain their daily rhythm. During weekdays, they must verify work completion, and on holidays, sick leave, or personal leave, they must verify survival. To foster relationships and boost vitality, members participate in outdoor activities such as meditation, tea ceremonies, and exhibition visits at least once a month. Opportunities are also provided to run in-house clubs like video clubs and design clubs for skill enhancement among employees with shared interests. After 11 weeks of company life, a closing ceremony is held where activity record videos are screened and members share their experiences working at NEET Company.

Youth aged 39 or younger who have been unemployed for more than one month and are interested in NEET Company can apply on the NIT Connect website by September 5. A total of 20 people will be recruited, with priority given to residents of Yeongdeungpo-gu. For further inquiries, detailed information can be obtained through the NIT Connect Kakao channel or by phone.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “With the acceleration of the digital era, social disconnection issues are increasing especially among young people. I hope the NEET Company Yeongdeungpo Branch will greatly help isolated youth recover their daily lives and grow.” He added, “We will continue to develop various specialized projects unique to Yeongdeungpo to alleviate youth isolation and create a better future.” For inquiries, contact the Job Policy Division.

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