Inje University and Korea Polytechnic University to launch first programs next year, allowing students to earn degrees without attending junior college
Incheon National University transfer program and Suwon University master's program also newly selected
Young workers who complete a work-learning parallel program at a vocational high school will be able to earn a bachelor's degree directly at a four-year university — without first attending a junior college — under a new integrated program set to launch next year.
The Human Resources Development Service of Korea said Monday it had selected three universities and one graduate school to operate work-learning parallel post-study programs in 2027. Among them, Inje University and Korea Polytechnic University will be the first to run the newly created four-year integrated program.
Under the existing system, vocational high school graduates who entered the workforce had to either complete a high-skills program at a junior college before transferring to a four-year university, or take an advanced major program at a junior college. The new integrated program allows students to train at a four-year university from the outset and earn a bachelor's degree directly. Inje University will offer tracks in mechanical control design and automatic control equipment design, while Korea Polytechnic University will cover software development, electronic hardware development and semiconductor equipment assembly.
Incheon National University was selected to operate a four-year transfer program in electronic hardware development and mechanical control design. Suwon University will run a master's program in semiconductor technology and talent management.
The agency is also revamping its work-learning parallel programs with the Ministry of Employment and Labor to develop talent for regional growth-engine industries. In those industries, companies will be allowed to design training courses based on their own needs rather than being bound by the National Competency Standards framework. The agency plans to raise training fees, prioritize support for AI and semiconductor training facilities and equipment, and introduce a new grant for young workers who complete the program and settle in the region to work.
Lee Byung-hoon, the agency's chairman, said it would expand the post-study foundation "so that learning that begins at apprenticeship schools continues after employment, all the way through to bachelor's and master's degrees."
fact0514@heraldcorp.com
