Labor ministry announces third nationwide STEP learning-experience contest

The labor ministry said Sunday that the third STEP learning-experience contest will seek accounts of how the platform's free online vocational courses helped users build skills and pursue new opportunities. The contest is intended to share learners' experiences and achievements and encourage a culture of vocational learning. STEP offers more than 2,500 free online vocational-training courses for workers, job seekers and people preparing for employment.

"People's valuable experiences will give others fresh motivation and opportunities to learn, and I ask for broad interest and participation," Han Yeon-hee, head of the online lifelong education institute at Korea University of Technology and Education, said.

Entries will be accepted from Aug. 24 through Sept. 20. The five categories cover workplace skills improvement, employment success, overcoming career interruptions, the use of artificial intelligence courses and an open category for subjects such as self-development and stronger learning motivation. Anyone who registers for STEP and takes its online content may enter by emailing a written account of their learning experience and results to [email protected].

The awards include one Labor Minister's Award, two awards from the university president and five from the head of the online lifelong education institute. Each winner will receive a certificate and prize. Judges will assess how well entries fit the contest's purpose, their specificity, their presentation and their potential use for other learners or education settings. Results are scheduled to be announced on STEP in October.