Gangnam-gu adds AI and digital skills to mid-career professionals' experience to open 'second careers'
792 people trained and 109 placed in jobs or startups through August; three new courses now recruiting
Kim, 48, had been out of the workforce for years after marriage. After completing the drone instructor training course at Gangnam-gu's Digital Job Center for Mid-Career Professionals, she earned a Class 1 national drone pilot license and went on to work as a professional drone instructor at after-school programs and related institutions.
Lee, 47, had worked as a team leader at an IT development firm before retiring and applied to more than 30 companies without success. He enrolled in the center's Gangnam Restart Academy, where he overhauled his resume to fit the current hiring environment and received one-on-one interview coaching. He received multiple job offers as a result and was hired as a deputy director at a global IT and collaboration technology firm.
Park, 58, had spent years managing education programs in lifelong learning settings and was looking for a new direction. She joined the center's AI and digital literacy course and received one-on-one counseling. By adding AI skills to her existing background, she was hired as an AI instructor at a digital learning center, where she now teaches seniors and people with disabilities at welfare facilities — expanding her role from education administrator to AI specialist.
Gangnam-gu's Digital Job Center for Mid-Career Professionals reported that 792 people participated in AI and digital education programs through the end of August, with 109 going on to find employment or launch businesses.
The center goes beyond simple course completion, helping mid-career professionals layer AI and digital skills onto their existing expertise to transition into new roles. It operates a step-by-step support system covering job training, employment counseling, job placement, internships and follow-up care.
Building on these results, the district is now recruiting participants for three second-half courses: a drone (robot) coding instructor preparation program for women, an AI and digital literacy instructor training course, and the third cohort of the Gangnam Restart Academy.
The drone (robot) coding instructor preparation program for women teaches drone operation and coding skills and builds the instructional competencies needed to use them in educational settings. It targets mid-career women who want to enter the education sector, including after-school programs, and is accepting up to 20 applicants through Friday.
The AI and digital literacy instructor training course supports participants entering the education and lecturing field by developing their generative AI and digital skills. In addition to building technical proficiency, the course trains participants to deliver that knowledge effectively to learners. Applications for up to 24 spots are open through Monday.
The third cohort of the Gangnam Restart Academy is designed to help mid-career professionals preparing for retirement or a career change find new employment. The program offers individual career and skills assessments, job-search strategy development tailored to today's hiring environment, practical digital skills training and one-on-one interview coaching. Up to 24 applicants will be accepted through Sept. 28.
Detailed schedules and application instructions for each course are available on the Gangnam-gu Digital Job Center for Mid-Career Professionals website. Applications can also be submitted by scanning QR codes on posters and banners. Further inquiries can be directed to the center.
Gangnam-gu District Mayor Kim Hyun-ki said mid-career professionals who combine their years of experience and expertise with AI and digital skills can be fully competitive in new fields. "We will provide tight-knit support — from job training to placement — so that education translates into real employment and new careers," he said.
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