[Korea SMEs and Startups Agency]
[Korea SMEs and Startups Agency]

Agency unveils talent development vision to support AI transition at small firms

Three-pronged strategy covers specialist training, on-site skills and regional balance

Manufacturing AI education center opens at Ansan training institute

The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency said Friday it will train 60,000 AI specialists for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups by 2030.

The agency, known by its Korean acronym Kosmes, made the announcement at a future talent development vision ceremony held Friday at its SME training institute in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. About 300 people attended, including officials from related organizations, heads of small businesses and current employees.

Kosmes unveiled a new vision: to become a learning hub leading the AI transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. To that end, it will pursue three strategies — training AI specialists, strengthening on-site job competencies, and expanding its public role in promoting balanced regional development.

The Kosmes training institute, which opened in 1982, has long provided job training for employees at small businesses. The agency plans to restructure its existing curriculum around AI to keep pace with the growing use of data and artificial intelligence on the factory floor.

Kosmes also opened a Manufacturing AI Education Center at the Ansan institute on Friday. The center comprises a learning hall, a vision practice room, an AI transformation experience zone, and an integrated control room and showroom, giving trainees hands-on exposure to AI applications in manufacturing settings.

"This is the starting point for shifting the focus of small-business talent development from experience and skill to data and artificial intelligence," Kosmes Chairman Kang Seok-jin said. "We will strengthen practice-centered education so that employees at small businesses can put AI to use on the job right away."


hong@heraldcorp.com