Companies Reach Out to 'Borderline Intelligence' Youth and Children in Welfare Blind Spots

'Borderline intelligence' youth and children are the focus of companies actively engaging in social contribution activities. To support those in the welfare blind spots of the institutional system, practical support such as employment assistance, tailored education, and psychological and financial counseling is expanding.

According to related industries on the 27th, Job Korea is operating a dedicated job experience center for borderline intelligence youth called 'Potential Growth Youth Center' in collaboration with the Youth Foundation. This center, which will be operated continuously until January next year, focuses on providing job information and job competency enhancement education to help borderline intelligence youth connect with employment and enter society. Along with this, the 'Potential Growth Campus' offers a three-stage educational process and one-on-one employment consulting.

In the education sector, Daekyo EduCamp has partnered with the National Council of Childcare Centers to support education for children with borderline intelligence. On the 21st, both parties signed a business agreement and agreed to jointly operate an educational program for experts to be dispatched to 10 regional childcare centers nationwide starting in the second half of the year. Daekyo EduCamp's specialized content for slow learners, 'My Pace,' will also be distributed.

Similar movements are continuing in the fintech industry. Toss has been conducting financial education for borderline intelligence youth in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Borderline Intelligence Lifelong Education Support Center and the social enterprise Free Whale. Since April, they have been operating 'Toss's Visiting Economic Education' for six months, aiming to improve financial literacy in daily life and prevent financial fraud.

Individuals with borderline intelligence have an intelligence quotient (IQ) between 70 and 85, which does not classify them as intellectually disabled but limits their cognitive and adaptive abilities, making it difficult to enter society. While many local governments are busy preparing measures for them, the private sector is also actively stepping in to complement the system.


Reporter Shin Ji-min