Jeonbuk International Cooperation Agency announced that it has operated the Jeollabuk-do ‘Foreigner Technical Education Support Project’ targeting foreign workers living in Jeollabuk-do.

As part of overcoming the shortage of industrial workers in Jeollabuk-do and the population decline in the province, the Jeonbuk International Cooperation Agency recently launched two training programs last year, including training for forklift operators and welding technicians, to strengthen the work capabilities of foreign workers working in the province. Following the pilot project in three regions, the project was expanded to five regions in 2023.

When obtaining a technical qualification, you can secure the points to change from E-9, which is the current residence visa for most foreign workers, to E-7, and also secure expertise in activities within companies in the province.

※When changing from E-9 (non-professional employment visa) to E-7 (skilled visa), long-term residence and accompanying family members are possible.

In the case of forklift and welding technician department training, the focus is on Korean terminology that appears in the written exam.

As a customized training program, 5 to 8 weeks of intensive training tailored to the needs of foreigners was conducted in 5 regions of the province, and a total of 125 people applied.

- Completion 4.23~6.4, Iksan/Gunsan 5.21~6.18, Gimje/Jeongeup 6.25~7.23

Through the Jeonbuk International Cooperation Agency's 'Foreigner Technical Education Support Project', two people have passed the written forklift technician test so far this year, and it is expected that more successful candidates will be produced by continuously encouraging people to take the exam in the second half of the year.

Kim Dae-sik, director of the Jeonbuk International Cooperation Promotion Agency, visited the Gimje Technical Education Center in person on the 16th to understand the realistic direction and improvement direction of the technical education project for foreigners.

Director Kim said, “Considering the recent decline in the number of industrial workers in Jeollabuk-do, the skilled craft visa (E-7) for long-term residence in Jeollabuk-do as well as the regional specialized visa (F-2-R) project are developing further. “We will do our best to provide not only technical education but also discover and implement more diverse projects for foreign workers,” he said.

Source: Daily Sports Korea(https://www.dailysportshankook.co.kr)