Nurturing Young Technical Talent... “Giteukhan Myungjang” System Launched for the First Time

Awards to Be Presented Annually on Skilled Technician’s Day
Separate Ceremony Scheduled for December This Year

The government is introducing the “Giteukhan Myungjang” system, designed to identify talented youth and young adults early and nurture them into highly skilled technical professionals.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on November 11 that it will implement this new system in response to field requests for a stepping-stone policy that helps capable young people grow into Korea’s Master Craftsmen.

Provided by the Ministry of Employment and Labor

The Korea Master Craftsman system is the nation’s flagship policy for fostering skilled technical professionals. Since its introduction in 1986, it has produced a total of 719 Master Craftsmen over 40 years, driving the advancement of skilled technologies.

However, there have been concerns that it is difficult for young people to enter the program, as becoming a Master Craftsman requires more than 15 years of field experience, meaning candidates are typically selected only in their mid to late 50s.

“Giteukhan Myungjang” is an abbreviation for “Special Technical Talent, Korea Master Craftsman.” The program is characterized by its division into “Technical Members,” who are former national representatives at the WorldSkills Competition, and “Student Members,” who are selected from students currently enrolled in vocational high schools.

Technical Members are selected from applicants under the age of 34 who have represented Korea at the WorldSkills Competition. Candidates apply to the WorldSkills Athletes’ Association, and after a recommendation from the association’s president, the final selection is made by a review committee.

Student Members are chosen through a review committee after being recommended to the Ministry of Employment and Labor by their vocational high school principal and the respective metropolitan/provincial education office. Eligible candidates include: ▲ top awardees at the National Skills Competition, ▲ those who have obtained outstanding national technical qualifications, ▲ holders of patents or inventions in technical fields, or those with equivalent competencies.

Selected members will be awarded and recognized annually on Skilled Technician’s Day (September 9). For the inaugural year, however, the awards will be presented separately in December. This month, candidates recommended by the Athletes’ Association and the education offices will undergo screening, with the final selection scheduled for early next month.

Selected Technical Members will receive a Giteukhan Myungjang certificate, while Student Members will receive both a certificate and a ministerial award. Bonus points will also be given when applying for the Korea Master Craftsman selection. Those chosen as Giteukhan Myungjang will be registered as technical talent in the specialized and Meister high school portal system.

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon stated, “As the name Giteukhan Myungjang suggests, we will support outstanding and exceptional young technical talent so they can grow into Korea’s Master Craftsmen and other skilled professionals through this system.”

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