The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said it will begin accepting applications on the 6th for the sixth cohort of the 2026 Startup AI Workforce Training Program (EoDreum School) to train young practical talent in artificial intelligence (AI).
EoDreum School is a program designed to ease staffing shortages at startups by training unemployed young people as practical workers in AI and linking them to jobs or startups. It has supported free AI education, opportunities to participate in domestic and international competitions, execution of real-world startup projects, and internship programs.
Starting this year, the program will be improved by expanding class size and training regions and by operating newly established customized courses tailored to trainees' proficiency levels.
First, the number of trainees will increase by 100 from last year, for a total of 300. Training regions will also expand this year to five zones: the capital area (Seoul), Gangwon area (Wonju), Gyeongsang area (Daegu), Jeolla area (Jeonju), and Chungcheong area (Cheonan). The plan is to improve access to AI education infrastructure for young people outside the capital area and to alleviate local corporations' staffing shortages through job placement programs linked to regional specialized industries.
The curriculum will include the existing basic course (seven months), open to beginners and non-majors, and an advanced course (three months) customized for those with AI-related experience or majors. Trainees can choose courses that match their level of AI proficiency.
Tuition is fully free. To raise academic achievement and satisfaction, outstanding trainees, including top performers and early job seekers, will be offered opportunities for overseas training, such as in Silicon Valley in the United States. Awards such as scholarships and certificates will also be provided.
EoDreum School is open to unemployed youth age 39 or younger, who can apply on the EoDreum School website from today through May 10.
Cho Kyung-won, entrepreneurship policy director at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), said, "Although AI technologies are advancing rapidly, startups are having difficulty securing talent," and added, "We will work to train young talent in the AI field to ease staffing shortages at startups and improve youth employment rates."