Mayor Park Seungwon of Gwangmyeong: "Supporting the Second Act of Middle-Aged Lives"... Expanding Employment and Entrepreneurship Training

Gwangmyeong City Launches Support for Middle-Aged Citizens to Plan Their Second Act in Life
Recruiting Trainees for Second Half Vocational Competency Development Courses
Four Practical Tracks Including Electrician, Forklift Operation, and Life Planning
80 Participants to Be Selected from July 13... "Retirement Is a New Beginning"

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Park Seungwon) is launching customized vocational training programs for middle-aged citizens preparing for a new chapter in life after retirement, encompassing employment, entrepreneurship, and social contribution. The initiative aims to go beyond simple certificate acquisition, establishing a virtuous cycle where participants can design their “second life” and continue into community activities.

Recruitment Notice for Examinees of the 'Second Half of 2026 Vocational Competency Development Training Course'. Provided by Gwangmyeong City

On July 8, Gwangmyeong City announced that its Life Plus Center would open the “Second Half of 2026 Vocational Competency Development Training Course” and recruit 80 trainees from July 13 to July 20.

This training program is designed to help middle-aged individuals actively participate in economic activities by providing practical, hands-on vocational education that responds to the rapidly changing employment environment and supporting the acquisition of national technical qualifications. It also aims to enable retirees to take on new roles within the local community.

The courses will run from August to November and include four tracks: ▲Electrician Certification Preparation ▲Forklift Operator Certification Preparation ▲Level-2 Middle-Aged Life Planning Counselor Certification ▲Middle-Aged Model Instructor Certification.

The electrician and forklift operator tracks focus on practical training aimed at obtaining national technical qualifications. The life planning counselor course is an advanced program for those who completed the introductory course in the first half of the year, while the model instructor course is intended to develop teaching capabilities and connect those skills to social contribution activities.

All trainees will also participate in the “Middle-Aged Life Design Track,” a mandatory core curriculum covering life planning, career exploration, and guidance on designing one’s life after retirement. Upon completion, participants will be supported in returning their acquired skills to the community through social contribution activities.

Eligible applicants are Gwangmyeong City residents who are motivated to seek employment or start a business. Priority will be given to those aged 50 to 64, while citizens aged 40 to 49 may participate with lower priority.

The application process varies by course. Applications for the electrician and forklift operator tracks must be submitted in person at the Life Plus Center, while the life planning counselor and model instructor courses accept online applications through Gwangmyeong City's lifelong learning platform, “Gwangmyeong(e)ji.”

Mayor Park Seungwon of Gwangmyeong commented, “This program is not just about acquiring certificates—it will be a stepping stone for the middle-aged generation to set new goals and confidently embark on their second life after retirement. We will continue to provide robust support so that experienced and skilled middle-aged citizens can serve as valuable assets to our community.”

Meanwhile, Gwangmyeong City plans to continue expanding various educational programs and initiatives that support re-employment and social participation for the middle-aged in response to an aging population and rising retirement rates, thereby establishing a foundation for experienced middle-aged citizens to become key drivers of local community growth.

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