Daejeon, South Korea – On February 18th, Daejeon City held a meeting with representatives from local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), universities, and economic organizations to discuss ways to improve the employment environment for young people and other vulnerable groups.

The meeting was organized in response to the challenging employment situation in the region, which has been exacerbated by the ongoing economic downturn and global uncertainties. Participants acknowledged that current employment statistics may not fully reflect the difficulties faced by job seekers, particularly young people.

The primary focus of the discussion was to address the mismatch between the skills and qualifications that companies seek and the skills that job seekers possess. Participants explored various strategies to bridge this gap, including:

Analyzing the differences between the ideal candidates sought by companies and the actual skills of job seekers.
Developing customized employment support programs to equip job seekers with the necessary skills and qualifications.
Creating more efficient matching systems to connect companies with suitable candidates.
Gwon Gyeong-min, head of the city's economic department, emphasized the importance of creating quality jobs to revitalize the local economy. He stated that the city will work closely with the private sector, academia, and relevant organizations to minimize job mismatches and develop sustainable employment policies.

Daejeon City plans to hold regular meetings and establish a consultative body to systematically improve local employment policies and provide practical support measures that satisfy both job seekers and businesses. The city is committed to creating a win-win situation for all stakeholders in the job market.