Govt to Hire More Science and Engineering Majors

Beginning 2005, the government will increase the proportion of college graduates who majored science and engineering when hiring high-ranking administrative and engineering officers.

The government announced on July 10 that it will boost the proportion of science and engineering majors to a half of the total number of new officers. The decision came after consultation with the National Science Engineering Advisory Panel.

The government plans to hold a public hearing at the Seoul Education and Culture Center on July 11 before nailing down the plan at the advisory panel meeting.

According to the plan, for high-ranking officers at level 4 or above, there will be no distinction between engineering and administrative posts. And the central agencies and local autonomous government bodies will be required to maintain the proportion of science and engineering college graduates at level 4 or above at 30%.

Of officers working for central government agencies, engineering officers account for 31% at level 4, 29% at level 4, 24% at level 3, 18% at level 2 and 10% at level 1. The number of engineering officers decreases as the level gets higher.

The government also plans to consolidate the two annual exams held to hire administrative and engineering officers into one, and increases the number of science and engineering majors to a half of the new recruitment.

Last year, it hired 246 administrative and 50 engineering officers respectively, with the gap remaining wide at five to one.

The government also plans to loosen the classification of engineering officer posts, which are currently listed in 8 categories and 38 posts, down to 5 categories and 15 posts, so as to give more chances for engineering officers to work in various fields.

For those who have experience in the private sector or research, their previous work will be reflected in job evaluation.

˝While those who majored science and engineering at college account for 53% of executive officers working at the top ten businesses, the government has failed to strengthen the foundation for the human resources pool in the area, which will serve as a driving force of economic growth,˝ said Choi Jae-ik, secretary general at the science and engineering advisory panel.

˝We have decide to take due measures to prevent the foundation for valuable human resources from collapsing,˝ he added.

dongho@donga.com