The Seoul Senior Job Support Center, opened in January this year as part of Seoul’s response to an ultra-aging society, has successfully connected 433 senior job seekers to employment within just six months.
Targeting Seoul citizens aged 60 and above, the center offers practical job support programs such as one-on-one personalized employment counseling, job training, resume writing, and interview clinics, while also conducting matchmaking with private companies.
As of June 29, the center’s registered membership totals 13,485, of whom 2,037 have completed job application registrations. The average age stands at 65.7 years, with over 60% of the registered possessing specialized experience in fields such as management, office work, business management, education, and finance.
The center has conducted a total of 4,086 employment consultations so far, resulting in 433 individuals successfully gaining employment. Additionally, 960 participants have enhanced their job skills by enrolling in 16 senior-specific training courses, including ‘Urban Guesthouse Start-Up’ and ‘Fall Safety Instructor’ programs.
The center is actively identifying 255 age-friendly companies in education, care, facility management, healthcare, and technology/professional fields to enhance connections with seniors. They also plan to hold a “Senior Job Fair” in November, which will involve over 70 companies and approximately 3,000 seniors.
In addition to the center’s operations, the Seoul city government announced a comprehensive plan last May called the ‘9988 Seoul Project’, with a goal to create 300,000 public jobs and 30,000 private jobs by 2040. Companies hiring seniors are eligible for a maximum subsidy of 60 million KRW to improve working conditions.
The city also plans to operate a ‘Senior Job Academy’ to strengthen seniors’ job adaptability and an AI-based job seekers matching system, ‘Senior Talent Bank’. These systems will be based at Seoul’s 50 Plus Campus and will offer integrated services, from job training that reflects career experiences and corporate demand to follow-up management.
Kang Hae-ra, Director of Seoul’s Elderly Welfare Department, stated, “Economic stability in old age is essential in an ultra-aged society,” and pledged to “create a sustainable employment environment where experienced and capable seniors can contribute to society again.”
The Senior Job Support Center is located on the first floor of the Seoul 50 Plus Eastern Campus, and citizens aged 60 and over who wish to find employment can participate in programs through online registration or telephone consultation.