Top Two Certificates for New Hires at Top 500 Companies Are "Computer Literacy"... New AI Literacy Evaluation to Be Introduced Next Year

Firmly Established as a Qualification for Verifying Data-Based Job Competency
AI-Related Questions to Be Introduced in the Written Exam Starting Next Year

The most commonly acquired national technical qualifications among young people employed at the top 500 listed companies in South Korea are certificates in Computer Literacy (hereinafter referred to as "Computer Literacy Certificate"), ranking first and second. This suggests that, even in an environment where artificial intelligence (AI) technology is spreading rapidly, foundational skills in data processing and analysis remain a core competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced on August 11, 2026, its analysis of national technical qualification acquisition among 65,743 young people aged 18 to 34 who were newly employed at the top 500 listed companies in 2024. This analysis was based on data linking national technical qualification acquisition and employment insurance from the Korea Employment Information Service.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry's status report on national technical qualifications acquired by 65,743 young people aged 18 to 34 who newly joined the top 500 listed companies in 2024, based on data linked between the Korea Employment Information Service's national technical qualification acquisitions and employment insurance. Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The survey found that, among 23,055 young employees with national technical qualifications, 9,780—or 42.4%—held certificates administered by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. By category, 5,473 individuals held a Level 1 Computer Literacy Certificate, ranking first, while 3,967 people held Level 2, which came in second. Both far surpassed the third most common certificate, Forklift Operator (1,891 people).

There continues to be strong demand among test takers for the Computer Literacy Certificate exam. According to statistics from the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, there were 247,841 applicants for the Level 2 Computer Literacy Certificate and 151,464 for Level 1 last year, making them the most and second-most popular among all national technical qualification exams. An analysis of test-taking trends over the past ten years (except during the COVID-19 pandemic) also showed annual average increases of 23.4% for Level 1 and 21.3% for Level 2 written exam takers, proving that these have become essential qualifications for entering office administration fields.

Experts attribute the enduring popularity of the Computer Literacy Certificate—even as generative AI becomes more prominent—to the importance of data insight. Effectively utilizing AI requires a prior understanding of basic operations such as structuring, sorting, and validating data. Reflecting these needs, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry plans to add questions assessing technical understanding of AI—including its principles, applications, limitations, and important considerations—to the Computer Literacy Certificate written exam starting next year.

Jung Dongyeol, professor at Korea Polytechnic University, stated, "No matter how advanced the results produced by AI may be, the insight to determine whether the underlying data is in the correct structure and whether its flow is logical is still a function unique to people." He added, "People who can discern the structure and flow of data will achieve completely different levels of productivity and results when collaborating with AI. The starting point is hands-on experience in handling and verifying data." He went on to emphasize, "The Computer Literacy Certificate proves the basic data insight that AI cannot replace."

Kim Kisu, Director of Qualification Assessment at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated, "Through this analysis, we confirmed that the Computer Literacy Certificate is the most widely held national technical qualification among young people newly employed at the top 500 listed companies." He continued, "The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry will continue to improve this assessment so that it accurately evaluates the practical competencies demanded in the field, in response to changes in industry and work environments."

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