Computer programming courses gains popularity among S. Korean job seekers

코로나19로 인한 취업난으로 IT 교육 수요 증가

Job seekers are struggling to find work amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and some have turned to new skills to make themselves more employable.
One of the more popular skills to learn is computer programming.
Bae Eun-ji has more.
This student is taking a class on software programming... hoping these skills will help him land a job.
He is here in this private educational institute, along with 400 other students looking for work.
Another student says the COVID-19 outbreak has affected his career choices, as more companies are trying to come up with new technologies that minimize face-to-face interaction.
"I originally majored in business, and studied for the CPA license to become an accountant. But I had to make a change in my career and took an interest in information technology."
"With the COVID-19 pandemic causing a severe unemployment crisis, a rising number of South Korean job seekers are learning computer programming."
More than one-third of the students taking programming classes at this institute do not major in this field.
The total number of students has increased by 120 compared to last year... a rise of 42 percent.
"It is true that more people have been looking into this kind of education recently. I think this is because the tech industry has a higher employment rate than other fields."
According to a South Korean job recruitment agency, 63-point-3 percent of computer and electronics companies are expected to hire people in the second half of this year... whereas only 13-point-3 percent of travel agencies will be hiring new employees.
"As the economy is currently going through the fourth industrial revolution, technology-related industries will see an increase in employment."
As the job market is not expected to get better any time soon, it seems the technology sector is one of the few hopes left for job seekers.
Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.