Ministry of Employment: "Early Intervention Within 4 Months After Graduation... Preventing Youth from Taking Breaks"

The government will conduct an 'early intervention within 4 months after graduation' for 50,000 university graduates this year, providing one-on-one counseling and mentoring. The aim is to support rapid employment during the golden time before these individuals fall into the category of inactive youth. For the 400,000 inactive youth, psychological counseling and career guidance will be expanded. Graduates from vocational high schools will receive not only work experience and specialized training in new industries but also post-employment support funds.

On the 22nd, the Ministry of Employment and Labor held the '2025 1st Special Committee on Youth Employment Promotion' at the Royal Hotel Seoul, chaired by Minister Kim Moon-soo. The event was attended by committee members including vice presidents of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Korea Federation of SMEs, as well as related government agencies and experts. The newly formed 2nd advisory group for 2030 under the Ministry of Employment and Labor, composed mainly of youth from diverse backgrounds, also participated to raise and discuss youth employment issues.

원본보기 아이콘

At the meeting, the Ministry introduced the direction of youth employment policies for this year. With concerns growing as the number of inactive youth reached 421,000 last year, an increase of 20,000 from the previous year, and the inactive period lengthened to 11.5 months, up by 1.1 months, the Ministry announced plans to implement a Korean-style Youth Guarantee for graduates. The Youth Guarantee is a system from the European Union (EU) designed to prevent youth NEETs by early intervention within 4 months after graduation, guaranteeing education or employment for one year.

This year, the government will intervene early within 4 months after graduation for 50,000 university graduates to prevent prolonged job preparation leading to inactivity. Through 120 University Job+ Centers nationwide, a full survey will be conducted next month on the employment status and service needs of graduating students, and additional graduates will be identified through a public university recruitment process to select 50,000 individuals. In the first half of the year, the University Job+ Centers will provide these individuals with one-on-one counseling, mentoring, and other employment support services. For unemployed youth who remain so after 4 months post-graduation, work experience and vocational training will be offered, along with policy linkage.

원본보기 아이콘

Hong Kyung-ui, Youth Employment Policy Officer at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, said, "Young people prefer one-on-one services the most," adding, "They need someone to diagnose their situation and guide them on how to prepare for employment, so the University Job+ Centers will focus on this." He continued, "Last year, 10 University Job+ Centers provided counseling and mentoring programs that helped with preparing necessary documents and improving interview skills, which received high satisfaction. This year, all University Job+ Centers plan to implement these services."

Currently, for inactive youth, a cooperative system involving local employment centers, related government agencies, local governments, universities, and psychological counseling institutions is being established to focus on identification and support. Psychological counseling is provided at employment centers for youth experiencing high anxiety, along with career guidance. Additionally, parent classes and peer support groups will be newly established this year to encourage community members, parents, and friends to engage inactive youth in policy participation and recovery processes.

Since the proportion of inactive youth with a high school diploma or less was high at 58.7% last year, related support measures will also be promoted. Vocational high school youth may enter employment outside their major or fall into inactivity after employment due to working conditions. The Ministry of Employment and Labor will provide career and vocational counseling to 60,000 graduates while offering specialized training in new industries and job-specific work experience. For 20,000 who find employment immediately after graduation, support of up to 9.8 million KRW over two years will be provided.

Minister Kim said, "With domestic and international uncertainties shrinking the hiring market this year, youth graduating from the COVID-19 cohort may face greater difficulties in the employment process." He added, "We will increase opportunities for youth to work and establish job policies that promote coexistence between middle-aged and youth generations," and "I urge companies to listen to the voices of youth and provide more jobs and work experience opportunities."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.