Sejong City has officially launched the Sejong International Technical Education Centre, a specialised vocational training hub designed to integrate foreign technical talent into the region’s industrial landscape. The centre, which commenced operations on December 16, represents a collaboration between the city, Sejong Job & Economy Promotion Agency, and Korea Polytechnic University.
Located within a 504-square-metre facility in Jochiwon-eup, the centre features modern training labs and lecture halls, providing a localised response to the labour shortages exacerbated by South Korea’s demographic shifts.
The initiative marks a departure from traditional labour policies by focusing on a “settlement-oriented” model for foreign residents. While Sejong City provides the physical infrastructure, Korea Polytechnic University oversees the curriculum operation, focusing on practical, project-based learning. To ensure the transition from education to employment, the Sejong Chamber of Commerce and Industry acts as a liaison, connecting trained graduates with local enterprises in need of skilled technical manpower.
City officials determined that low birth rates and population decline necessitated a more robust, public-led vocational system to boost the economy. By offering specialised training in fields such as AI-based video production and digital innovation, the city hopes to attract global talent that can be immediately deployed into the field. They are currently pilot-testing four initial courses, and the centre aims to scale its operations by 2026. There are plans to recruit over 300 students across 15 different vocational programmes.
Lee Seung-won, the Vice Mayor for Economic Affairs in Sejong, characterised the centre as a starting point for the city’s talent strategy. Beyond technical proficiency, the programme is structured to support the long-term integration of foreign workers through Korean language and cultural immersion. There is also an expectation that the centre will support visa pathways and residency stability, potentially serving as a regional alternative to the Korea Immigration and Integration Programme.
As the first institution of its kind under the Korea Polytechnic University umbrella, specifically for foreign nationals, the centre is positioned to align with broader national policies, including the Ministry of Education’s RISE project and the Ministry of Employment’s specialised training initiatives. By fostering an environment where foreign technical talent can both thrive professionally and settle permanently, Sejong City seeks to establish itself as an international hub for technical education and industrial innovation, addressing the labour crisis through a lens of global cooperation and local residency.
