Urges Chonnam National University and Chungnam National University to specify manpower supply timing and recruitment linkage
(Jeonnam Gwangju = Yonhap News) Reporter Jang A-reum = At the National Assembly Education Committee audit held at Chonnam National University on the 21st, there was an order that local national universities must prepare a talent training plan that reflects industrial demands for the success of the government's three major mega projects.
In a national inspection of 10 national universities in the Chungcheong and Honam regions, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Beom-gye (Daejeon Seo-gu) urged that local national universities, including Chonnam National University, take the lead in nurturing semiconductor talent and establish specific measures to supply professional manpower needed by companies in a timely manner in preparation for investment in the semiconductor industrial complex in the southwestern region.
Rep. Park said, "The semiconductor industrial complex is expected to break ground in 2028, but if Chonnam National University establishes a new department of advanced semiconductors in 2028, there may be a 'mismatch (imbalance)' as it will produce graduates starting in 2032. We need a specific plan on how to train the high-quality human resources that are needed right away."
He emphasized, "Chonnam National University has signed 13 agreements with companies, but only one company, Amkor, has promised employment. Although Samsung Electronics has set a contract department quota of 40 students, the agreement or hiring conditions are not specified," and added, "We need to make clear the manpower needs of each company, financial sharing, and joint operation of educational courses."
Addressing Chungnam National University, he also said, “The semiconductor, small and medium-sized department managers, and display companies coming to Chungnam are not unrelated to Chungnam National University,” and added, “We need an open system and leadership on how to cultivate customized talent that companies can immediately hire.”
Rep. Kim Moon-soo (Jeonnam Gwangju, Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, Gurye-gap) of the same party also proposed establishing a professional manpower training system and inspecting teacher training plans to respond to the demand for the construction of the fourth semiconductor fab in Honam.
Rep. Kim asked, “We need to strengthen the master’s and doctoral level talent system. Chonnam National University should take the lead.”
In response to this, Chonnam National University and Chungnam National University responded that they are cooperating with local universities, companies, and public institutions.
Lee Geun-bae, president of Chonnam National University, explained, "We are working with local universities to foster talent to meet the demand for local semiconductor industry manpower at the bachelor's level, and we are inviting current and retired Amkor employees to educate students and current workers at the joint research institute."
Chungnam National University President Kim Jeong-gyeom said, “We are collaborating with about 140 companies and institutions in the central region to create a training course at a level that can bring in companies and research institutes and immediately deploy talent to the field.”
