"Let's Prepare for Jobs Frugally"... Active Test Fee and Tuition Support Programs

Local Governments Offer 100,000 to 200,000 Won in Exam Fee Support for Young People
Up to 500% TOEIC Tuition Refund Program by YBM
"Ascent": AI Mock Interviews Without Expensive Consulting Fees

With persistent high inflation and a tough job market, "frugal job preparation" is emerging as a new trend. Job seekers are making use of a wide array of options, ranging from public support policies offered by the national and local governments to compensated programs provided by companies and AI-based employment services.

The government and major local governments across the country are running a variety of "youth employment support projects," covering everything from job-seeking allowances to occupational training, document and interview consulting, as well as AI capability assessments.

In particular, many local governments are actively offering test fee support programs. Seocho District provides up to 200,000 won per year in application fee support for unemployed youth aged 19 to 39. The project covers about 900 types of tests, including language proficiency tests, national technical qualifications, and state-certified private qualifications.

Similarly, Songpa District is implementing an application fee support program for young people, offering a one-time lifetime benefit of up to 100,000 won per person for approximately 880 types of exams, such as language exams and the Korean History Proficiency Test. In the second half of the year, a total of 500 individuals will be supported, with applications accepted from the 1st of next month until October 31.

These local government projects are well received by job seekers as they provide actual cost reimbursement for exam fees not only for English tests like TOEIC but also for second language exams in Chinese, Spanish, and others. According to the Korea TOEIC Committee, around 83% of last year's applications for "TOEIC exam registration confirmation" were for submission to local government fee support programs.

The private sector is also launching programs to reduce job seekers' financial and time burdens. Representative examples include refund-based programs that reimburse tuition fees based on study results, and AI-based services that replace costly consulting.

In the education industry, refund-based programs are offered to boost learning motivation and reduce costs. "Maximum 500% TOEIC Refund Course," run by YBM Net's online education brand YBM Ingang, provides a full tuition refund if basic requirements—completing one lesson per day and taking one mock test during the course—are met. If learners achieve their target TOEIC or TOEIC Speaking score afterward, the refund rate goes up to 500%.

In addition, the program offers discount coupons for TOEIC and TOEIC Speaking exam fees, delivering considerable cost reduction. If a student does not meet the target score, the course period is extended by 90 days for free, allowing continued study without additional expenses.

There are also services that help users develop practical interview skills without restrictions of time or costly consulting. "Ascent," an AI mock interview service launched by the AI talent infrastructure company Codit, provides customized mock interviews after users upload their resume and self-introduction letter.

"Saramin Job Pass" by HR tech company Saramin is an unlimited job preparation service tailored for job seekers. Users can complete all stages of the job application process in the exclusive "Pass Lounge," including resume writing, job posting search, application submission, and interview success. The service is available for 30 days following purchase, and it analyzes the user's qualifications and self-introduction to offer an employment status assessment, suggestions for improvement, and recommendations for job postings with a high chance of acceptance.

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