The Ministry of Employment and Labor on March 13 announced a pilot training program for foreign workers in shipbuilding in a joint project with the southern coastal city of Ulsan. iClickArt (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of the above photo is prohibited under copyright law.)

By Lee Jihae

The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the southern coastal city of Ulsan are training foreign workers in shipbuilding to resolve the sector's labor shortage.

The ministry on March 13 announced this in announcing a pilot training project for the industry.

To be launched this month, the project will have Ulsan lead customized training for shipbuilding workers in Uzbekistan and the ministry arrange for trainees to work at small and medium enterprises in the industry in Ulsan on E-9 (non-professional employee) visas.

The training comprises five sections each lasting three months: heat insulation, lifting, scaffolding, painting and electricity. The first session on lifting, scaffolding and painting will start on March 18; the second on lifting in the third week of May; and the third on all five areas from the fourth week of July.

The estimated 280 trainees expected this year will enter the country between July and December based on when they finish training.

The ministry will analyze the project's results to expand its specialized human resource training.

The ministry said this pilot project will allow local governments and businesses to directly train human resources and immediately deploy them on-site, shorten the adaptation period for foreign workers in Korea, prevent occupational hazards and boost productivity.

jihlee08@korea.kr