Small Business Employees Will Get State Funding for College

Anyone who worked for a small and medium-size business for a certain period of time will become eligible for government support for tuition when he or she decides to get a college education for occupational training.

Also, an “educational account system” will be set up in which a certain amount of funds will be given from the government beforehand to enable long-term jobless people to select a job training course suited for oneself.

The Ministry of Labor made an announcement regarding the above mentioned points during the “National Employment Support Service Reform Convention” that was held on April 6 at the Central Governmental Complex in Sejongro, Seoul. In attendance were 130 people, including President Roh Moo-hyun, the ministers of related ministries, the chairmen of local self-government organizations, and representatives from labor and management.

One remarkable point from this report by the Ministry of Labor was that when a small business employee who has worked for a certain period of time decides to go on to receive a college education for the purpose of improving occupational capabilities, the person will be given a certain portion of the tuition free of charge while the rest of the tuition may be given in low-interest loans as part of government efforts to promote life-long education.

When this proposal is given a concrete shape, it will minimize the need for junior high and high school students to focus only on going on to college, and it will be able to reduce the problems of college entrance exams by diversifying student paths after graduating high school.

Also, the educational account system was set up for people in need, like long-term unemployed persons, to raise re-employment rates by enabling them to take educational programs suited for their individual work aptitude and educational demands. Some free training courses and funds will be set up, as well for poor, self-employed people with less than a certain level of business assets.

Sang-Ho Kim hyangsan@donga.com