SMEs to Cultivate 1,600 Manufacturing AI Professionals... Support for Youth Working in Regional Areas Increases

[Financial News] The government will increase the training scale for AI working-level personnel in small and medium-sized manufacturing companies to approximately 1,600 people next year. The duration of internships for employment in SMEs will be extended to 12 months.
According to the '5th Basic Plan for Workforce Support for SMEs (2026–2030)' established by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups on the 4th, the government will pursue policies centered on three major areas: training and supplying customized manpower based on on-site demand, creating a desirable working environment for SMEs, and strengthening infrastructure to alleviate job mismatches.
First, the scale of training for working personnel needed for the development of manufacturing AI solutions for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies will be expanded from 600 people this year to approximately 1,600 people next year. The duration of internships for employment at small and medium-sized enterprises will also be extended from 3 months this year to 12 months next year.
Next year, the 'Manufacturing AI Fellow Training Program' will be established to provide specialized training courses for AI transformation in small and medium-sized manufacturing sites to 500 participants at four major science and technology institutes, including Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Those who complete the training will be awarded a microdegree in the field of manufacturing AI transformation and will be connected with employment opportunities at manufacturing companies.
The government plans to expand the 10 industry-specialized AI contract departments selected this year to 30 by 2030.
To address the shortage of research personnel in regional SMEs, the proportion of hiring quotas allocated to non-metropolitan companies in the SME research personnel hiring support program will be increased from the existing 50% to 60% this year. Support for hiring up to two research personnel will be provided to manufacturing AI SMEs.
The government plans to establish a "preferential track for employees of local SMEs" within the Youth Future Savings starting next year to support the long-term employment and asset formation of working youth. Currently, the youth support fund under the Youth Employment Leap Subsidy provides up to 7.2 million won over two years to young people employed at SMEs outside the capital area who have worked for at least six months. The government plans to significantly increase the support limit starting next year.
To support the re-employment of middle-aged and older workers, the criteria for workplaces required to provide re-employment support services to those scheduled to retire will be expanded from the current 100 or more employees to 500 or more next year and 300 or more in 2029.
An integrated support roadmap will also be established to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to appropriately utilize foreign labor, covering everything from the introduction of foreign workers to support for their stay and settlement.
The government is also pursuing a plan to expand the scope of workplaces subject to the mandatory appointment of safety and health managers under the Industrial Safety and Health Act from the current 50 or more employees to create safe and smart workplaces for small and medium-sized enterprises.
A new initiative tentatively named 'Youth Playground' will also be established to introduce excellent small and medium-sized enterprises to young people seeking employment and provide advice from senior entrepreneurs to those preparing to start their own businesses.
The government plans to open SME training centers in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province and Jeonju, North Jeolla Province next year to support the training of personnel for regionally specialized industries. The South Jeolla center will specialize in semiconductors, aerospace, and petrochemicals, while the North Jeolla center will focus on future vehicles and cultural content.
No Yongseok, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "We will join forces with relevant ministries and spare no necessary support so that the talent working in SMEs can open up the irreplaceable future of Korea."

[email protected] Kim Hyun-chul Reporter