[K-Women Talk] The SK Hynix Performance Bonus Sparks a "Large Company Production Job" Boom

Recently, the hottest topic on office worker communities has undoubtedly been the "SK Hynix performance bonuses." With the conclusion of wage negotiations, SK Hynix employees will each receive a performance bonus of over 100 million won this year. The wage increase rate is set at 6%, and going forward, 10% of the operating profit margin will be guaranteed as a performance bonus.

Even the comments on portal sites, which were not particularly supportive of union wage demands in the past, are different this time. Many positive comments have appeared, such as "Incredible, a new hire getting 100 million won," "I hope better treatment for STEM majors will reduce the preference for medical school," and "This is a groundbreaking agreement that clearly states the performance bonus criteria." Additionally, comments like "That’s 100 years’ worth of bonuses at small businesses" have drawn countless "sad" reactions, reflecting sympathy for the insurmountable gap.

The SK Hynix performance bonus applies to both production and office workers. If, for example, a man with a high school or associate degree joins the company right after completing military service, a 24-year-old new hire would receive over 100 million won this year alone. Not only at SK Hynix but also at other large companies, entry-level production workers typically start at around 45 million won, receive overtime, night, and weekend allowances, and enjoy job security with most staying until at least age 55. This means the "return on investment in education" is extremely high. Furthermore, compared to college graduate engineers, it is widely believed that production workers have fewer responsibilities, which is why the term "king of large company production jobs" has emerged.

Of course, there are also challenges to be prepared for. At semiconductor companies, workers must wear uncomfortable cleanroom suits and always stay alert to avoid mistakes with expensive equipment and delicate processes. Even though automation has advanced, those working at chemical or steel companies may still face exposure to hazards. Production workers typically work at factories operating 24 hours a day, making shift work unavoidable and requiring them to cope with the stress of irregular hours. Social perceptions of high school or associate degree holders have improved but are still not particularly high.

Nevertheless, the competition ratio for production jobs at large companies now exceeds 500 to 1 on average. Every job and position has its own difficulties, so rather than focusing on the downsides, many prefer the excellent salary and working conditions. In fact, even STEM university graduates increasingly prefer production positions at large companies over engineering roles at small and medium-sized enterprises. As a result, some large corporations are now opening production job applications to university graduates as well.

So what qualifications are needed to land a production job at a major company? The best approach is to enter a technical high school or community college and major in electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering. While companies are gradually opening up to university graduates, most production positions still favor high school and associate degree holders. For example, SK Hynix restricts eligibility to those with a high school diploma or associate degree. Since Korea’s manufacturing sector is still centered on these fields, the choice of major is important.

Given the intense competition, it helps to differentiate yourself by maintaining excellent grades, perfect attendance, and acquiring relevant certifications. Attendance is especially important as it demonstrates an applicant’s reliability, so it is crucial to avoid being late or absent. Only certifications specified in the company’s job postings are recognized, so it is necessary to review the recruitment announcements of your target companies in advance. Even for production jobs, large corporations conduct their own aptitude tests: Samsung uses the GSAT, SK Hynix uses the SKCT, and Hyundai Motor Company administers its own personality and aptitude tests.

As with other jobs, there are high entry barriers for newcomers to production roles. Many experienced production workers at small and medium-sized enterprises in similar industries leave after one or two years to apply for production jobs at large corporations. Therefore, gaining experience and building skills at a small or medium-sized company in the same industry as your target employer can be a valuable alternative strategy.

Lee Sukeun, Publisher of The Framework of Employment