South Korea to provide labour for small and medium domestic shipbuilders
Training programmes for up to 2,000 workers offered to South Korean nationals off back of similar 2024 project
With small- and medium-sized shipbuilders facing a shortage of skilled workers, the government has looked to repeat last year’s initiative to train jobseekers in the sector
THE South Korean government will train 1,000 prospective shipyard workers and 1,000 technicians this year in a bid to address the shortage in skilled labour at small- and medium-sized domestic shipbuilders.
Training programmes are being offered to South Korean nationals following the success of a similar project in 2024, which was jointly promoted by South Gyeongsang Province and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Last year, 1,383 prospective shipyard workers and 1,804 technicians signed up for the initiative.
The 2025 project, aimed at jobseekers, will come at a Won12.8bn ($873m) cost to the government. Training is undertaken across a two-month period, lasting up to 320 hours.
Trainees learn about ship block construction, production and assembly of finished ship parts, electrical and control systems, machinery installation, pipe line production and installation, and storage tanks on liquefied natural gas carriers.
A maximum of Won3.6m in subsidies will be provided to 200 graduates of the training, who will earn employment at small and medium shipbuilders, subcontractors and small and medium shipbuilding-related companies.
Technician training, aimed at incumbents to upskill and students in shipbuilding related majors, will be conducted at HD Hyundai’s global R&D centre in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province and Samsung Heavy Industries’ Digital Transformation Campus in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.
This programme consists of four sections, including artificial intelligence and big data technology development and analysis, eco-friendly ships, maritime autonomous surface ships and smart yards.
An official of South Gyeongsang Province told Lloyd’s List: “The shortage of shipyard workers is more serious at small companies than at large shipyards. The programme will continue until 2026.”
Last month, Lloyd’s List reported how South Korean yards are also turning to Uzbekistan to supplement their workforce and alleviate labour shortages, as the country aims to capitalise on an ordering boom and the potential shift in shipbuilding market share away from China.
