Geumsaem High School designated for power semiconductors, Gyeongnam Technical for offshore plant engineering; both schools to begin training industry-ready workers next year

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education [Busan Metropolitan Office of Education]
The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education [Busan Metropolitan Office of Education]

Busan city announced Monday that Geumsaem High School (to be renamed Busan Power Semiconductor High School) and Gyeongnam Technical High School have been selected for the Ministry of Education's 2026 contract-type specialized high school program. Geumsaem High School was designated in the power semiconductor field, while Gyeongnam Technical High School was chosen for offshore plant engineering.

Contract-type specialized high schools are a vocational education model built on industry-academia cooperation, in which local governments, education offices, companies, specialized high schools and universities collaborate to train workers tailored to regional industry needs.

With the designation, Geumsaem High School will restructure its existing curriculum — centered on electrical, electronic and software programs — into a power semiconductor-focused education system starting next year. The change will allow the school to provide a timely supply of field-ready workers sought by companies in Busan's semiconductor materials, components and equipment complex. The city plans to work with the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, IQ Lab Co., Dong-eui University and Busan Technopark to support students from workforce training through employment and local settlement.

Gyeongnam Technical High School will operate as a contract-type specialized high school training hands-on workers for the shipbuilding and offshore plant sector. Through an industry-academia-government cooperation framework involving the city, the education office, shipbuilding and offshore plant companies, and related agencies, the school will pursue a tailored curriculum, support for professional certification, company-linked field training and instruction by industry experts.

"We will nurture high school-level skilled workers specialized in the region's strategic industries, connect them with companies, and create a virtuous cycle in which talent development serves as a catalyst for attracting businesses — ultimately driving regional industrial growth and increasing the youth population that settles here," a city official said.


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com