Issue Reskilling and transition support for displaced mid and low-skilled workers in Korea

Summary

KEIS calls for measures to redeploy and support the transition of mid and low-skilled workers hit by employment shocks from technological progress and industrial restructuring. Because changes in production are making the employment outlook negative for craft workers and machine operators and assemblers in manufacturing and construction, it wants training and employment services that help existing workers switch industries and find new jobs. The report observes that growing industries such as information and communication see active moves to higher-paying and larger firms. When the shipbuilding industry was in crisis, by contrast, many workers moved to other sectors such as construction. From this it concludes that marginalised groups need active labour market transition policies such as job-change training and information provision.