HYBE and SK to Lead the Way... K-New Deal Academy Launches AI and Entertainment Talent Development

Ministries Launch Company-Led Youth Training Program 'K-New Deal Academy'
SM, HYBE, SK, Microsoft, Hyundai Motor, and KB Kookmin Bank Join
Future-Focused Curriculums in AI, Mobility, K-pop, and Financial Data

Younghoon Kim, Minister of Employment and Labor (second from right), and Sinhak Moon, Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (second from left), are taking a commemorative photo with attending young people at the "K-New Deal Academy Corporate and Youth Meeting" held on the 26th at the SK Seorin Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Employment and Labor are recruiting companies and young participants for the "K-New Deal Academy," a youth-tailored vocational training program. Major companies such as SM Entertainment, HYBE, SK, Microsoft (MS), Hyundai Motor, and KB Kookmin Bank will directly design educational courses to cultivate talent for future industries in fields like AI, entertainment, and finance.

On May 26, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Employment and Labor held the "K-New Deal Academy Corporate-Youth Meeting" at the SK Su-rin Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where they announced operational plans for each company's academy. The meeting was attended by Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon, Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sinhak, and representatives from six companies in the entertainment, AI, manufacturing, and finance sectors.

The core of this project is for large companies to lead the design and operation of vocational competency development courses for young people, while providing support for training fees and stipends. Additional support will be offered if the academy is operated outside the Seoul metropolitan area.

The SM Entertainment Group plans to operate educational programs for producing K-pop content using AI and XR technologies, as well as a K-pop dance instructor training program. HYBE will offer training in planning and producing video content based on artist IP, along with a career coaching program.

SK is preparing a program to nurture AX innovation talent by combining AI expertise with SK-specific job skills, and will provide practical training in areas such as semiconductors, security, networking, and AI content service planning. Microsoft will offer project-based training using its AI tools and a partner-linked employment support program.

Hyundai Motor has established a practical training course for future mobility talent focused on embedded AI and manufacturing AI, while KB Kookmin Bank is preparing programs for AI financial data analysis and support for obtaining finance-related certifications.

The participating company programs will be finalized after a review in early June, after which each company will begin recruiting young participants. Those interested can check details and apply through the Employment 24 website and the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training website.

Minister Kim stated, "The strength of the K-New Deal Academy lies in companies directly designing and operating programs, ensuring training diversity matches industrial diversity. I hope this will create a virtuous cycle where both young people and companies grow together."

Vice Minister Moon also said, "We expect that company-led talent development programs will foster future talent to lead the AI era."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.