Open to individuals aged 40 and older, and companies with strong hiring records for older workers

Applications accepted throughout July; 10 awards to be given, including minister-level prizes

Contest aims to surface and share best practices in career transitions and reemployment nationwide

A class for older workers in the future automotive technology program at Korea Polytechnic University's Seoul Jeongsu Campus [Korea Polytechnic University]
A class for older workers in the future automotive technology program at Korea Polytechnic University's Seoul Jeongsu Campus [Korea Polytechnic University]

The Korea Labor and Employment Service Foundation is holding the "2026 Fresh Start: Best Practices Contest for Middle-Aged Workers" to identify individuals who have successfully navigated career transitions and companies that have made active use of older talent. The contest aims to improve public awareness of employing older workers and promote a culture of lifelong employment.

The foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, announced Tuesday that it is accepting applications for the contest from Tuesday through July 31. Now in its ninth year, the contest is designed to uncover and share outstanding examples of middle-aged individuals who have successfully mapped out their career paths or changed careers amid a rapidly shifting labor market, as well as companies that have led the way in hiring older workers.

The contest is divided into individual and corporate categories. The individual category is open to people aged 40 and older who have succeeded in career planning, reemployment or job transitions; applicants are eligible regardless of whether they have used services at a Middle-Aged Workers Tomorrow Center. The corporate category targets companies that have put age-friendly employment practices into action — including hiring and rehiring older workers, improving working conditions and drawing on their accumulated experience.

After screening, judges will select 10 outstanding cases — five each from the individual and corporate categories. Winners in the top tier will receive a commendation from the minister of employment and labor, while excellence award recipients will receive a commendation from the foundation's secretary-general. The total purse is 8 million won ($5,190). An awards ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 30 during the Senior Employment Emphasis Week event. Winning cases will be produced as video content and compiled into a casebook to be shared through Middle-Aged Workers Tomorrow Centers nationwide.

"We hope this contest will serve as a platform for middle-aged workers who have taken on new career challenges to share their firsthand experiences," foundation Secretary-General Park Jong-pil said. "We expect it to give older workers the confidence to embrace new challenges, and to give companies a chance to rediscover the value of skilled, experienced older talent."

Individuals and companies wishing to participate can download an application form from the Korea Labor and Employment Service Foundation's website and submit it by email by July 31.


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