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▲ Ministry of Employment and Labor |
[정필=김연실 복지전문기자 [email protected]] The Ministry of Employment and Labor held the first workshop of the 2026 Middle-aged Employment Network on February 10. With the attendance of over 100 people, including heads of employment support departments at national job centers and the Center for the Middle-aged Tomorrow, it was created to share the direction of the ‘Middle-aged Employment Network’ in 2026 and the direction of middle-aged and middle-aged employment policies.
The ‘Middle-aged Employment Network’ is a local job consultative body formed to provide ‘case management-type’ employment services to companies and middle-aged people with the participation of employment support organizations such as local governments, polytechnics, and the Women’s New Job Center, centered around the Employment Center and the Middle-aged Tomorrow Center. It was pilot operated by 15 employment centers in 2025, and starting this year, it was expanded to about 40 nationwide, greatly improving accessibility and convenience.
In this workshop, Seoul Gwanak, Incheon Northern + Incheon Western Employment Center, and Gumi Employment Center shared the direction of this year’s middle-aged employment network, and through group discussions, they discussed strategies for collaborating with local related organizations and finding jobs suitable for middle-aged and middle-aged people.
Seoul Gwanak Employment Center plans to operate a local middle-aged and older fit employment network focusing on the IT and smart manufacturing industries in the Guro-Geumcheon-gu industrial complex (G-Valley) and the health and service industries in Gwanak and Dongjak-gu. In particular, we plan to provide comprehensive support to job seekers through the National Employment Support System, Job Seeker Guarantee Package, Career Support System for the Middle-aged, Life Career Planning, and Tomorrow’s Learning Card, and to companies through job search, various incentives, and consulting.
Incheon North + Incheon West Employment Center selects key industries such as roots, aviation, logistics, health and welfare, and bio, and establishes a local job coexistence working council to intensively discover jobs suitable for middle-aged and older people. In particular, to support local-specific recruitment, we provide support by linking job demand days, joint job fairs, job training, and Korea Polytechnic specialized training.
Gumi Job Center sets target companies in the electrical, electronic, machinery and health care industries and focuses on management in connection with personnel system improvement and incentives. In addition, systematic career management is promoted by allowing middle-aged job seekers to participate in life career planning at the Middle-aged Tomorrow Center and then proceed with job education and specialized training → job placement.
Jin-ho Kwon, Director of the Integrated Employment Policy Bureau, said, “Starting this year, we will support the growth of middle-aged and middle-aged talent tailored to each region anywhere in the country through the ‘middle-aged employment network’ that will spread across the country.” He also emphasized, “The government will strengthen support for local middle-aged people and companies hiring middle-aged people by expanding the ‘Middle-aged Tomorrow Connection Package’, which provides a package of life career planning, training and work experience, job placement and incentives, etc. through the middle-aged employment network.”
Seoul, February 10, 2026 – A nationwide initiative to bolster employment opportunities for middle-aged workers is gaining momentum, with the Ministry of Employment and Labor holding its inaugural workshop for the 2026 Middle-aged Employment Network. The program aims to provide tailored job services to both companies and individuals navigating the challenges of mid-career transitions.
Expanding Access to Employment Support
The network will expand from a pilot program in 15 employment centers to approximately 40 centers nationwide this year, increasing accessibility and convenience for job seekers.
The ‘Middle-aged Employment Network’ functions as a localized job consultation service, bringing together local governments, polytechnics, the Women’s New Job Center, Employment Centers, and the Center for the Middle-aged Tomorrow. This collaborative approach delivers “case management-type” employment services, designed to address the unique needs of both workers and employers.
During the February 10 workshop, attended by over 100 leaders from employment support departments, representatives from Seoul Gwanak, Incheon Northern + Incheon Western, and Gumi Employment Centers shared their strategies for the year. Discussions centered on forging partnerships with local organizations and identifying suitable job opportunities for experienced professionals.
Regional Strategies for Job Placement
Seoul Gwanak Employment Center is focusing its efforts on the IT, smart manufacturing, health, and service sectors within the Guro-Geumcheon-gu industrial complex (G-Valley) and the Gwanak and Dongjak-gu districts. They plan to leverage programs like the National Employment Support System, Job Seeker Guarantee Package, Career Support System for the Middle-aged, Life Career Planning, and Tomorrow’s Learning Card to support job seekers. Businesses will benefit from job search assistance, incentives, and consulting services.
Incheon North + Incheon West Employment Center is targeting key industries including roots, aviation, logistics, health and welfare, and bio. They will establish a local job coexistence working council to proactively identify relevant positions. Support will be provided through job demand days, joint job fairs, job training, and specialized training programs offered by Korea Polytechnic.
Gumi Job Center is concentrating on companies in the electrical, electronic, machinery, and healthcare industries. Their approach emphasizes personnel system improvements and incentives for employers, coupled with systematic career management for job seekers. This includes life career planning at the Middle-aged Tomorrow Center, followed by targeted job education, specialized training, and ultimately, job placement.
Jin-ho Kwon, Director of the Integrated Employment Policy Bureau, stated, “Starting this year, we will support the growth of middle-aged and middle-aged talent tailored to each region anywhere in the country through the ‘middle-aged employment network’ that will spread across the country.” He further emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening support for both workers and companies through an expanded ‘Middle-aged Tomorrow Connection Package.’
- The Middle-aged Employment Network is expanding nationwide to provide targeted job support.
- Regional centers are focusing on key industries to match skills with local opportunities.
- A comprehensive support package is available for both job seekers and employers.
- The initiative aims to address the unique challenges faced by mid-career professionals.
