Local governments look to foreign talent to solve labor shortages

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Local governments look to foreign talent to solve labor shortages

Published: 02 Apr. 2024, 17:55

LEE TAE-HEE
lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr

Chung Sung-hyun, head of North Gyeongsang's Local Era Policy Bureau explains the province's policies for foreigners during a press conference held Tuesday. [NORTH GYEONGSANG PROVINCIAL OFFICE]

Local governments nationwide are announcing policies to attract international talent and provide career support to students studying in the regions amid labor shortages.

As part of this push, North Gyeongsang announced a new set of regional immigration policies on Tuesday.

The local government plans to create support centers in overseas countries for Korean-language education and career-training programs. The career training programs will cater to skills that local companies have high demand for.

The province hopes the programs provided at those centers will attract foreigners to North Gyeongsang for work or study.

North Gyeongsang also announced that it intends to expand the current fast-track visa system for exceptional international students in the region.

The current fast-track system allows foreigners with master's or doctoral degrees from universities specializing in science and technology to acquire long-term or permanent residency visas easily.

Although the system is only offered to science and technology graduates, North Gyeongsang plans to extend the same benefits to students who received scholarships funded by the local government.

One of the scholarships offered by the local government is the K-Global Korea Scholarship. The scholarship offers full tuition, but students are required to live and work in the province for at least three years after graduation.

The government also intends to build a job website, called WorkNet, with career information and job offerings for foreigners. It will also create a global business boot camp program offering startup courses for foreigners.

"We hope to vitalize the local economy and become a hub for immigrants by pursuing such immigration policies," said Lee Cheol-woo, governor of North Gyeongsang.

South Gyeongsang also announced Tuesday it plans to invest 10.9 billion won ($8 million) until 2026 to foster in-demand talent for its local industries.

Using the investment, the province will connect international students that have a good understanding of Korean culture to positions at local companies.

The investment will not remain exclusive to international students and will also be used to create career training programs for vocational high school graduates and retired employees.

South Chungcheong announced similar goals, aiming to attract more employees to the province.

The province is currently receiving applications from universities and educational institutions to participate in its Work and Study program for international students.

Students attending universities selected for the program and with around a year left until graduation will be given opportunities to participate in the six-month work experience program.

The program will require international students to adhere to part-time work hours. International students must only work between 20 to 30 hours a week depending on their degree program and Korean proficiency.

Each of the selected universities will offer the program to around 50 students each year.

The province will be accepting applications from universities that want to participate in the program until April 30.

"We hope to solve the labor shortage problems we face through the Work and Study program for international students and the specialized residency visa," said Doh Ahn-ho, head of the province's Economy Planning Division.

"We hope to work with the relevant organizations and professionals and continue to find more solutions to the labor shortage problem."

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]