As large-scale investments in AI and semiconductors by companies including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix advance in Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, local vocational high schools are moving to train customized technical talent in step with these developments.
The Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Office of Education announced on the 14th that six schools in Jeonnam (10 departments, 19 classes) and two schools in Gwangju (4 departments, 9 classes) were finally selected for the "2026 Education Ministry Vocational School Restructuring Support Program."
Through this selection, Jeonnam secured a budget of 7.125 billion won and Gwangju secured 3.075 billion won. Based on this funding, the education office plans to accelerate the reform of vocational education linked to local industries, including developing curricula in emerging industry fields, strengthening teacher expertise, and building advanced practice labs.
In particular, this restructuring focused on strategic linkage with the "AI and Energy Education Valley construction" and "Mega-Project" currently being pursued mainly around the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions. The move is seen as laying the foundation to supply practical technical talent needed by local industries in a timely manner.
In Jeonnam, a total of 10 departments at six schools were selected, including Gurim Technical High School (Fire Safety Management Department), Naju Commercial High School (AI Data Management Department, AI Digital Finance Department), Damyang Technical High School (AI Convergence Smart Machinery Department, Smart Space Design Department), Beopseong High School (AI Business Department), Suncheon Technical High School (Mechanical Department, Chemical Engineering Department), and Yeosu Technical High School (AI Robot Machinery Department, AI Convergence Facilities Department).
In Gwangju, four departments at two schools were selected, including Gwangju Electronics Technical High School (Network Semiconductor Department) and Dongil Future Science High School (AI Robotics Department, AI Convergence Content Department, AI Healthcare Department).
This program selection is expected to serve as an opportunity for Jeonnam-Gwangju vocational schools to respond to changes in the industrial structure and make a major shift toward a future technology training system.
An official at the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Office of Education said, "With AI-based emerging industry infrastructure and large-scale mega-projects concentrating in Jeonnam-Gwangju, the key is to cultivate technical talent that can support this starting from the high school level." The official added, "We will systematically support the strengthening of curricula and teacher expertise, as well as improvements to the practice environment."
