The government will provide concentrated employment support services for current students who are about to graduate from college for four months this year. Considering overseas cases in Europe and elsewhere, it has determined that the four months after graduation is the 'golden time' for youth employment. Through this, the plan is to prevent graduates from becoming 'NEET' youths who do not engage in job-seeking activities without any particular reason.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 22nd the '2025 Youth Employment Policy Direction,' which includes these details.
First, the government plans to conduct a comprehensive survey of employment status and service demand for current students about to graduate at the university job plus centers in 120 universities across the country by February. Using this information, it will provide employment services, including one-on-one personalized services, within four months after graduation.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor noted that the specified duration of four months was considered based on examples from the European Union (EU). The EU sees the four months after graduation from college or vocational high school as a golden time to respond to the issue of young people giving up on job searching. It believes that ensuring employment and training opportunities during this period can lower youth unemployment rates.
In response, the Ministry of Employment and Labor will significantly enhance various programs needed by young people during the job-seeking process. Special lectures will be held for students who have experienced document or interview failures in preparation for the job season. Additionally, a community will be built to provide mentoring with alumni who work in industries and positions desired by graduates.
For young people who have not found employment even after four months post-graduation, the government will link policies such as job experience and vocational training. This is in consideration of the recent trend of large companies preferring to hire experienced workers.
Young people who have been unemployed for more than a year or are unable to find work will use the National Employment Support System to combine job-seeking activities with living support.
The government's early support for employment for students about to graduate is due to the increasing number of youths who do not seek jobs after graduation. Last year, there were 421,000 'NEET' youths, an increase of 20,000 from the previous year. Since 2020, the number of 'NEET' youths in the country has consistently remained around 400,000.
The government believes that 'NEET' youths could lead to permanent withdrawal from the labor market, a phenomenon colloquially known as 'NEET.' NEET refers to unemployed youths who do not want to work. The increase in NEET individuals can reduce consumption and worsen labor supply, potentially adversely affecting economic growth.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Employment and Labor said, 'This year, due to uncertainties both domestically and internationally, the job market may contract, making it harder for youths to find employment. We plan to identify and support youths who face difficulties in job-seeking as early as possible this year.'