Korean kids start early in bid for a job

Elementary school students experience a traditional Korean private village school class at Chungryeolsa Temple in Busan. / Yonhap

By Ko Dong-hwan

Korea’s record-high youth unemployment shows that the better odds of getting a job are reserved for those who are well prepared.

And one conventional method for job-seekers to prove their ability is through greater qualifications.

A recent survey revealed that preparation for extra qualifications -- called licenses -- begins as early as first grade in elementary school. And the qualifications the preteens are seeking are diverse.

Private study book provider Chunjae Education surveyed 505 parents with children at elementary school. The result, revealed Monday, showed that 82 percent of respondents had “a plan to have their children prepare for a license” and 62 percent said their children “already took certain license qualification tests.”

Among children who sat the tests, first-grade students accounted for the most with 48 percent, followed by second, third and fourth grade each with 13 percent.

As to how many licenses their children prepared for, 50 percent of respondents said one, 25 percent, two, 15 percent, three, 4 percent, four and 6 percent, five.

The most popular licenses were Chinese literacy with 35 percent, followed by computer tools like Photoshop and office programs (27 percent), Korean history (20 percent) and foreign languages (15 percent).

“Some licenses may help with studying school materials but some will become ineffective when the kids become an adult,” Chosun Ilbo said, quoting a private elementary school teacher. “Parents must be careful not to fall for ads that say ‘This is a must license for your kids.’”