Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province said Wednesday that it will operate a "Youth Growth Project" program designed to simultaneously strengthen young people's job market competitiveness and support their psychological recovery.
The program targets unemployed and job-seeking youth aged 15 to 39 who reside in Uijeongbu, with high school and university students eligible to participate only if they are scheduled to graduate.
The program is broadly divided into practical employment training and experiential healing programs. The employment training track includes a job-success portfolio strategy class, basic English interview training, a clinic for writing and editing personal statements, and coaching for actual interview preparation. Small-capital entrepreneurship training is also offered to support a wide range of career exploration.
Notably, the city is running experiential programs alongside the training, including aroma perfume making, moss ball crafting, and hanging net making. The aim is to help young people exhausted by the job-preparation process achieve emotional stability and self-understanding.
A separate program has also been arranged for parents of unemployed and job-seeking youth. It is designed to deepen their understanding of youth employment policies and job-support systems.
The program will be held at Cheongnyeon Darakbang (Youth Attic), with each course opening once at least seven participants are enrolled. Participants will also be connected to employment counseling and related services.
Applications can be submitted through the Cheongnyeon Gonggamteo (Youth Empathy Center) website. Inquiries can be directed to the Youth Jobs Team of the Youth Policy Division at Uijeongbu City Hall or to Cheongnyeon Darakbang.
"We have prepared customized programs across various fields so that young people can actively respond to the changing employment environment," said Kim Young-ri, head of Uijeongbu City's Youth Policy Division. "We will continue to expand programs that help young people grow and become independent."
