Inno-Biz Association Recruiting Companies for Youth Job Leap Incentive Program
by Choi Hokyung
Published 12 Apr.2026 12:00(KST)
Up to 7.2 Million Won in Subsidies for Companies
The Korea Association of Innovative Businesses (Inno-Biz Association) announced on April 12, 2026, that it is recruiting companies to participate in the 2026 Youth Job Leap Incentive Program.
The Youth Job Leap Incentive Program is designed to ease the financial burden on companies hiring young people and to support youth entering the labor market. The Inno-Biz Association plans to implement the program through its main office and eight regional operating agencies nationwide, including Gangwon, Gwangju-Jeonnam, Daegu-Gyeongbuk, Daejeon-Sejong-Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Chungbuk, and Gyeongnam.
This program targets companies that hire young people facing employment difficulties as regular employees and maintain their employment for at least six months. Eligible companies can receive up to 7.2 million won in subsidies per year. In principle, workplaces with five or more insured employees are eligible, though some workplaces with fewer than five employees may also participate if they meet specific requirements. However, young employees who earn a monthly wage of 4.5 million won or more are excluded from support.
To apply, companies must select their region in the Job 24 website under the Job Leap Incentive menu and proceed through the relevant operating agency. Applications must be submitted before hiring the youth employee, but if the hiring has already taken place, the application must be submitted within three months from the date of hiring.
In particular, for companies located outside the Seoul metropolitan area, an additional incentive for youth retention may be provided separately from the company subsidy. The youth retention incentive varies by region: up to 4.8 million won for general non-metropolitan areas, up to 6 million won for preferential support areas, and up to 7.2 million won for special support areas.
Through the 2026 Youth Job Leap Incentive Program, the Inno-Biz Association will operate a total quota of 4,602 positions. Each agency will be allocated between a minimum of 300 and a maximum of 800 positions. The association plans to provide program guidance and on-site support in collaboration with its regional offices to ensure that local SMEs can make full use of the system.
An official from the Inno-Biz Association stated, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor's Youth Job Leap Incentive Program is expected to significantly ease the hiring burden for Inno-Biz companies and help secure outstanding young talent. The Inno-Biz Association, together with its regional offices, will actively provide program guidance and on-site support so that more companies can utilize the system."
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