This is the 18th in a series of articles on suggestions to President-elect Lee Myung-bak. ― ED.
By Juergen Woehler
Secretary General of German
Chamber of Commerce in Korea
The new government wants to achieve economic growth and attract more foreign investments. Affordable and, most importantly, qualified labor is a key factor to succeed in these efforts. It is certainly not desirable to reduce the overall wage level. Therefore focus should be on improving productivity and quality of the Korean workforce vis a vis an ever more threatening competition from China.
At first glance Koreans are most generous worldwide concerning the funding of their children’s education. The level of formal education is exceptionally high.
This much cited education fever, however, does sometimes not translate into professional qualification nor does it foster entrepreneurial spirit. From the kindergarten onwards memorizing facts and being obedient are important values.
From a business perspective, especially of an international investor, qualified labor is the key success factor. Foreign companies tend to have difficulties in finding candidates meeting the required qualifications. Korean companies, especially large ones, have no problems with on-the-jobtraining. Most foreign companies start small and neither have the time nor the money to do likewise trainings. They need job seekers ready to fulfill their jobs, even if they do not have a prior full-time job experience.
Curriculae in Korea tend to focus on theoretical contents and not on practical, businessorientated skills. The social status depends more on being a graduate of certain universities than on having a good track record of practical experience.
Engineering studies are not associated with the same level of prestige than law or medical studies. The proficiency of foreign languages is at times not sufficient. These existing problems may also be responsible for low Korean employment rates of young people. Foreign SMEs (Small and medium enterprises) have to lure away employees of large international Korean companies in order to find the right candidate, thus further increasing the personnel costs.
A short look at the German dual-education model. Young Germans may choose between a practical style or university education. The practical education takes place in a company (four days a week) and is combined with one school day per week. After 2.5 to 3 years a standardized exam has to be passed in order to get an officially recognized job title. Therefore, future employers can count on basic qualifications due to the standardization and the mix of theory and practical experience.
Even during university education German students are obliged or recommended to have internships in companies. Nowadays a wide set of internships (in Germany and abroad) have become a prerequisite for conquering attractive job positions. Furthermore, Germans focus not just on facts during school and university but also on discussions, presentations and creative problem solving. These core competencies are essential in nearly every modern job.
Multiple choice tests, ex-cathedra teaching and rankings may be necessary in a competitive society. On the other hand, imagination and a creative approach on problem solving should also be put on class schedules. In our opinion these soft facts should be an integral part of the Korean school system. Korean university students should be obliged to take internships during the breaks in order to gain practical insights. An interval of 3-5 month per year is typical for an internship in Germany. It would be even better, if students have the chance to take an internship abroad.
Non-university-based education should be revalued because it is simply inefficient to have studied English literature in order to get an office job at a foreign company. It would help job seekers as well as employers if an education system with reliable and consistent qualifications fitting to job requirements exists.
The development of language skills starts in school. It is questionable that most people rather rely on language studies in private schools (hagwons). The knowledge of foreign languages is very important for a country strongly involved in international trade, like Korea. Schools need more qualified language teachers and an agenda that leaves time for discussions. Most Koreans have very good theoretical and grammar-based language skills. The application of skills in speech and in writing should be focused on with the same intensity.
The public appreciation of engineering sciences and technical jobs has to be improved. In a recent study a group of children were asked what professions they knew; they could only think of three to four. Society should pay more respect to technical professions and encourage those studies.
As a matter of fact, girls should be encouraged to study engineering and other “typical men’s jobs” as well. There is a so called “Girl’s day” in Germany, where young school girls all over the country visit technical-oriented companies, talk to employees and discuss what jobs might suit them.
University networks in Korea are very strong. Graduating from some of the top-universities is very important. This mentality could be an obstacle for the future development. A job candidate with practical skills and an education in a provincial university might be better for some jobs than a top-notch graduate.
Korean and international employees in foreign companies need creativity, self-initiative, a hands-on approach as well as team mentality.
These attributes should be trained and scored at the universities as well. Teamwork, practical experiences and a hands-on approach are some of the skills perfectly represented by the President-elect Lee Myung-bak, and should also inspire Korean university students.
The writer is the secretary general of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul.