At 2 p.m. on the 11th in the auditorium of Seoul Semiconductor High School in Dongdaemun District, Seoul. As Principal Ji U-jeong stressed the growth potential of the semiconductor industry, more than 300 parents and students recorded the screen on stage with their phones. It was notable that entire families attended together, from parents who came alone without their children to parents, grandparents, and younger siblings.
At the admissions briefing held ahead of the first freshman recruitment next year by Seoul Semiconductor High School, the first semiconductor meister high school in Seoul, more people turned out than expected. Interest among parents and students was growing in a track that seeks early employment by learning semiconductor technology instead of going to college.
◇ Seoul Semiconductor High to recruit first freshmen… about 600 expected nationwide
Principal Ji, a former Samsung Electronics executive, said, "Recently, people call the college entrance track 'medicine, dentistry, Korean medicine, pharmacy, veterinary.' If the semiconductor industry grows further, 'medicine, semiconductors, Korean medicine, pharmacy, veterinary' will also be possible." The remark likened the trend of rising popularity of semiconductor departments following medical, dental, Korean medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary schools.
Ji stressed, "In a job market where experience becomes value, Seoul Semiconductor High School can be a good option for students."
Parents' questions ranged from the expected cutoff scores and evaluation factors to post-graduation employers, dorm operations, and club activities. Each time the presentation materials changed, many could be seen photographing the screen or jotting down details in the guidebook.
Park Jin-ho, 50, who came with a son set to enter high school next year, said, "My child likes the field of machine assembly, so we looked into semiconductor meister high schools," and added, "Since this is the first freshman class, it seems the school has prepared a lot, so we have high expectations."
Interest in Seoul Semiconductor High School was hotter than expected. As applications surged, the school closed registration early for the first briefing on the 6th. It also switched the venue from the Smart Media Room to the school auditorium, which can accommodate more people.
Including the second through sixth briefings scheduled through Oct., about 600 people from across the country, including Seoul and Gyeonggi as well as Busan, Ulsan, and Daegu, have applied so far. The school expects more applications to come.
◇ "Where will they get hired"… parents focus on jobs at large corporations
The biggest concern for parents that day was employment after graduation. Some parents focused their questions on the possibility of employment at large corporations such as Samsung Electronics(005930) and SK hynix(000660), corporate-linked programs, and preparation for high school graduate hiring tracks.
Academic affairs head Kang Seong-dong said, "Seoul Semiconductor High School is a meister high school specialized in the back-end process of semiconductors," and explained, "Students can build the practical skills demanded by semiconductor corporations, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix as well as HANMI Semiconductor(042700), Jusung Engineering(036930), and HANA Micron(067310)."
However, because the school will admit its first freshmen next year, there are no graduates or actual employment records yet. Employment at specific corporations is not guaranteed either. The school plans to help students acquire the practical abilities and qualifications required in industry to boost their competitiveness in special recruitment for high school graduates.
To that end, the school runs the "5-Tools" certification program centered on: ▲ on-site training at industrial workplaces ▲ obtaining three or more national technical certifications ▲ foreign language ability equivalent to a TOEIC score of 600 or higher ▲ 50 hours or more of volunteer work at home and abroad ▲ one-person, one-skill master (one required arts education per person).
It is also pursuing a global exchange program linked to educational institutions and industry sites in Taiwan. With TSMC at the center, Taiwan has strong competitiveness in advanced packaging for AI semiconductors, and the aim is to have students experience overseas semiconductor industry sites firsthand.
After the briefing, time was set aside to tour the semiconductor lab and school facilities. Parents and students examined the equipment up close or filmed inside the lab.
A parent identified as A, who attended with a child in the third year of middle school, said, "The outlook for the semiconductor industry has been bright recently, and the idea that real job competitiveness matters more than a college name is growing," and added, "We became interested because it is the first semiconductor-specialized high school in Seoul."
Incoming students will receive full support for the admission fee and tuition. Students will also use an Extended Reality (XR) lab where they can virtually experience semiconductor processes. The dorm, currently being remodeled, is scheduled to open in time for the first freshman class. Starting with the second admissions briefing on Aug. 22, a dorm tour will be added to the schedule.
◇ Semiconductor high schools a hit nationwide… each briefing closing early
Interest in semiconductor meister high schools is not confined to Seoul. About 450 parents and students attended the admissions briefing for North Chungcheong Semiconductor High School held on the 10th in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong. At Korea Semiconductor Meister High School in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, registrations are fully closed through the fourth briefing scheduled for Sept.
As demand for talent in the semiconductor industry grows, moves to convert existing specialized high schools into semiconductor meister high schools are continuing in various regions.
Yongin Semiconductor High School will first open next year as a specialized high school and is scheduled to convert into a meister high school in 2028. Busan Electronics Technical High School is also pushing a plan to convert into "Busan Semiconductor Meister High School" (tentative name) in 2028.
An education industry official said, "Even in Seoul, where college enrollment was once taken for granted, a track of learning semiconductor technology early and entering the industry is emerging as a new option for students and parents."