A job seeker visits the Seoul Western Employment and Welfare Plus Center located on Mapo-daero in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and is looking at the job information bulletin board. /Courtesy of News1

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 16th that it plans to invest 2.7 trillion won this year to create 410,000 jobs. The initiative aims to assist in overcoming the economic downturn by linking employment opportunities from youth to middle-aged groups.

Young people can receive vocational training in artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and gain experience at related corporations. It is also possible to participate in internship programs at international organizations or outstanding private corporations. The middle-aged group can work as subway safety personnel or dedicated managers for stormwater drainage systems through the Seoul Together job initiative. 500 retirees from small and medium-sized enterprises will assist with job transfers and re-employment, while those who have closed their businesses will be connected to jobs in fields such as landscaping management and building maintenance.

The city will select 50 excellent small and medium-sized enterprises with outstanding employment and welfare. Selected corporations will receive a maximum of 15 million won per person as a work environment improvement grant when hiring full-time employees aged 18 to 39 living in Seoul. Joo Yong-tae, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s economic office, noted, “We will establish a dense employment safety net.”