Recently, problems such as a mismatch in manpower supply and demand and failure for students to enter the stable labor market after graduation have emerged worldwide, increasing the need for vocational education and training to meet on-site demand. Korea is no exception. Young people invest a lot of time and money in obtaining degrees and various specifications to get a job. Companies spend huge amounts of money on retraining new employees due to the inconsistencies in job and school education.

 

In order to resolve this mismatch between industrial sites and school education and increase employment rates, the Ministry of Employment and Labor introduced the ‘Work-learning parallel project’ in 2013. The project is also available at Daegu University. So, I would like to introduce ‘Daegu University IPP Center’ to help students prepare for employment more efficiently.

 

<Interviewer> L.L.F reporter, Hyeon-Bin Song

<Interviewee> Won-Jin Jo, a project manager in the ‘DU IPP Center’

 

Q1. Can you explain what IPP is?

A1. IPP stands for Industry Professional Practice and is a corporate-linked long-term field practice program that requires students to work at industrial sites for more than 4 months as part of a university curriculum. The program allows students to experience practical work in a company for a good length of time, helping them acquire the practical knowledge and skills needed by the company.

 

The purpose of the program is not only to allow students to establish a clear career path, but also to enable companies to identify and verify talented people at an early stage. IPP overcomes the limitations of short-term field experience programs and supports both university education and full-time work reflecting the latest industrial trends and corporate needs.

 

Q2. How does IPP work?

A2. First, students submit an application with a cover letter and resume through the Daegu University IPP website, and the student and a company will eventually match after the company evaluates the documents and interviews the student. The student is then required to complete pre-practice training, before working on the site and complete a monthly field daily record. After the end of the practice session, you will be required to submit a final report and credit will be given after the evaluation process. An important point is that the program targets juniors and seniors

 

Q3. What are the benefits of participating in the program?

A3.

1) 4 months of practice

It provides opportunities to choose a career path that suits you through field experience. In addition, students can experience high technology and equipment used in actual industrial sites, as well as improve their practical skills by solving problems with professional engineers.

 

2) Strengthen employment competitiveness

Students can acquire the skills needed by the company through field experience. The work experience is also officially recognized, which is advantageous for company interviews.

 

3) Economic benefits

Students can benefit financially from the monthly minimum wage or higher.

 

4) Credit

The program kills two birds with one stone by filling credits and gaining field experience for students with insufficient credits.

 

Q4. What would you like to say to DU students?

A4. Our IPP project group will do our best to nurture talented students and match them with companies. I hope that more students will be able to participate in this program to improve the necessary skills related to their major and to help them get a job that suits their aptitude through IPP.

 

L.L.F Reporter Hyeon-Bin Song

송현빈  ban05180@naver.com