The Seoul Metropolitan Government is expanding and revamping the “Youth Life Design School” from 2025, which supports youth in understanding themselves and planning their careers. The number of participants in the program will increase by 1.5 times to 1,500 people, and the participation limit will be extended from once a year to a maximum of three times a year.
The Youth Life Design School is one of Seoul’s representative youth policies. Through group coaching for two hours each week over five weeks, participants can understand their strengths and behavioral styles, helping them to explore specific careers and life plans. Last year, the program’s satisfaction rate reached a record high of 4.58 out of 5, the highest in the last three years. Effectiveness studies showed a 31% increase in career maturity and a 19% increase in self-awareness and self-acceptance.
In 2025, the number of classes per term will expand from the current 12 to a maximum of 23. Participation venues are being broadened to include 7 Seoul Youth Centers and the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Center, as well as local youth spaces such as the Gwanak Youth Center, Noryangjin Youth Job Center, and Jungnang Youth Center.
This year, the “Traveling Youth Life Design School” will be introduced for the first time. It will support 200 youths annually through MOUs with institutions for socially considerate youth such as young caregivers, youth preparing for independence, and out-of-school youth. There are also plans to operate a program for young soldiers under the Capital Defense Command in collaboration with the Ministry of National Defense.
The program’s components will be further refined to match the stages of youth career concerns. The Life and Career course will offer sessions like “Creating a 1% Change in Life” and “Establishing Practical Career Plans” in the final week. The Leadership course will be enhanced with a focus on hands-on practice. The Starter course, which was pilot tested last year for prospective youths aged 18, will be officially included from this year.
Planned activities for small groups within courses will be operated separately twice per term for those who wish to participate. Recruitment for 2025 will take place in April, June, and August. Any young person aged 19-39 residing or active in Seoul can apply. Youths who have completed military service can extend their application eligibility age by their service period, allowing participation up to age 42.
The recruitment for the first session will run from April 17 to May 12. Applications are accepted on the Youth Total Info website. The Starter course, separate from the four operated courses, will be offered after the university entrance exam for prospective youths.
Kim Cheol-hee, the Seoul Future Youth Planning Officer, stated, “The Youth Life Design School is a process where young people can turn their weaknesses into strengths and find the direction of their lives. We aim to enable more young people to actively design their careers through policy.”
