About 600 attend, including representatives from 134 universities, to discuss ways to identify and support long-term unemployed young people

A robot demonstration at the "2025 Future Mobility JOB EXPO" hosted by the Youngjin University Job Plus Center. [Provided by Youngjin University]
A robot demonstration at the "2025 Future Mobility JOB EXPO" hosted by the Youngjin University Job Plus Center. [Provided by Youngjin University]

Officials from university job centers across the country are gathering to share how they have supported graduates, local youth and long-term unemployed young people.

The Korea Employment Information Service said it will co-host the "2026 National University Job Plus Center Second-Half Seminar" with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the National University Job Plus Center Council from Tuesday through Oct. 1 at Maison Glad Jeju. About 600 people are expected to attend, including representatives from 134 universities running related programs as well as officials from the ministry and the Korea Employment Information Service.

The seminar will feature presentations on how employment centers have identified and supported unemployed youth, as well as case studies on job support programs for local young people run by university job centers. Participants will also share experiences from the "First Step Employment Guarantee Centers," a new initiative launched this year at 10 universities nationwide. The centers provide intensive employment services to young people who have been out of work for an extended period or have given up on job hunting altogether. The Ministry of Employment and Labor also plans to outline the conditions and reform direction for related programs in 2027.

University Job Plus Centers currently operate at 122 universities nationwide, offering career and employment counseling through professional advisers, job support programs, and services connecting users with company information and job openings. Separately, graduate-specific programs run at 119 universities, while tailored employment services for current students are available at 64 universities.

Lee Chang-su, president of the Korea Employment Information Service, said the University Job Plus Centers are establishing themselves as one-stop employment service hubs for unemployed youth, including graduates and young people in local communities. "We will provide support so that customized services reflecting the individual characteristics of each young person can be delivered," he said.


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