'Gyeonggi Youth Overseas Employment and Startup Opportunity Expansion' Project Sees Competition Rate of 4.3 to 1

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] The Gyeonggi Provincial Government announced results for its 'Gyeonggi Youth Overseas Employment and Startup Opportunity Expansion' project, which provides overseas corporate experience opportunities for young people in the province dreaming of international employment and entrepreneurship. The program saw 849 applications for 200 positions, recording a competition rate of 4.3 to 1. This is higher than last year's competition rate of 3.9 to 1 (388 applications for 100 positions).

The province and the Gyeonggi Institute for Economy and Science held recruitment from May 13 to June 3.

Compared to last year's seven countries and nine cities, this year has expanded to 12 countries and 13 cities, adding countries such as the United States, European nations, and Australia where young people show high interest in overseas employment.

By region, Los Angeles, USA recorded the highest competition rate with 224 applicants for a 22 to 1 ratio. This was followed by Melbourne, Australia with 185 applicants for a 9.3 to 1 ratio, Vienna, Austria with 59 applicants for a 5.9 to 1 ratio, and Tokyo, Japan with 108 applicants for a 5.4 to 1 ratio.

Program participants will receive support for overseas corporate experience programs, accommodation, meals, airfare, travel insurance, and visa issuance fees (in required regions). Depending on each location, the four-week program will offer various programs including local practical language training, mentoring, job training, domestic company trade and marketing internships at local sites, and participation in overseas exhibitions.

The Gyeonggi Institute for Economy and Science will announce first-round successful applicants on June 7 following document screening, and will conduct online aptitude tests and interviews for comprehensive evaluation of participants' spirit of challenge and potential for development before announcing final selected participants on June 25. The program will then proceed with participant orientation and pre-training in July, with the first batch of overseas corporate experience scheduled for late July and the second batch for October.

Lee Min-woo, head of the Investment and Trade Division, said, "As we expanded the number of participants and regions, we were able to confirm once again the high interest and passion of young people, following last year's success. We will continue to actively support these young people so they can demonstrate their abilities through this program, contribute to society, and shine on the international stage."