Labor ministry backs workshop to train young construction workers

The labor ministry said Thursday it is supporting a two-day workshop in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, to cultivate young talent for the construction industry. Organized by the Construction Workers Compensation and Welfare Service, the event addresses the critical shortage of skilled labor caused by an aging workforce and young people avoiding the sector.

The "Construction Specialized High School Peer Network Workshop" runs August 27-28 with about 50 participants, including students and instructors from Cheongpyeong High School and Korea Mobility High School, along with officials from the Korea Construction Skills Association. The industry still relies heavily on manual skills, field experience and situational judgment, making the cultivation of professional skilled workers increasingly vital.

Sessions cover industry trends, vocational lectures, blueprint reading and on-site etiquette. A key component involves hands-on safety education conducted with Lotte Construction Safety On, where participants experience risk scenarios such as falls and equipment-related accidents. The program also includes peer networking activities designed to foster pride and a sense of belonging among future workers.

The workshop is part of the ministry-entrusted "Specialized High School Linked Young Construction Workforce Training Course," which provides education grounded in actual field conditions to help students grow into future construction skilled workers.

Jang Geon, chairman of the Construction Workers Compensation and Welfare Service, emphasized the strategic necessity of the initiative. "For the sustainable development of the construction industry, it is important to nurture excellent young skilled workers early and support them so they can settle stably in the field," he said.