Labor ministry backs youth construction training as building sites face skills shortage

The labor ministry threw its support behind a training program that puts vocational high school students on building sites, as the minister warned Monday that falling numbers of young construction workers risk deepening a shortage of skilled labor.

"If the inflow of new workers such as young people into the construction industry decreases and aging intensifies, structural supply-demand imbalances and shortages of skilled workers could worsen," Employment and Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon said.

The Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association, which runs the program under a ministry commission, held a meeting at Cheongpyeong High School on Oct. 12 to share training results and hear from students. The association's executive director, Kim Eun-cheol, attended along with officials from the Gapyeong office of education and the school, instructors and students.

Under the vocational high school-linked youth construction workforce development course, students learn construction skills and take part in building work directly, guided by practicing master craftsmen and site supervisors. The association also runs an early talent development program to support deeper technical training and hands-on practice.

At the meeting, students described how they worked through difficulties during training and the sense of achievement they felt on finishing a building. The association said it would reflect their feedback in how the program is run and expand field-centered education and practice starting from the school stage.

"It is important for vocational high school students to learn construction skills from school and take part in building work themselves, in order to understand the site and build confidence," executive director Kim said. He added that the association will keep supporting young people so they can grow into skilled construction workers.

The ministry's warning comes as artificial intelligence and digital technology spread quickly through construction sites, even as the value of experienced hands remains high for on-site judgment, response and coordination among skilled workers.